Housing rights activists gathered at Seattle Center before marching to the Seattle Housing Authority’s office on Queen Anne Ave. in protest of SHA’s Stepping Forward rent increase proposal. Over 60 people packed into the tiny SHA meeting room after marching from the International Fountain at Seattle Center.

From the event Facebook page…

“Seattle Housing Authority tenants have been organizing against SHA’s Stepping Forward rent increase proposal since August, but SHA still refuses to STOP Stepping Forward! Stepping Forward would increase rents over five years for 7,000 “work-able” tenants so high that after five years, they will need to earn between $16 and $20 an hour just to afford rent.

Tenants are demanding that the SHA Board of Commissioners votes “NO” on Stepping Forward and any other proposal where rent is not based on tenants’ incomes. Stand in solidarity with them against this unfair rent policy on SHA’s own turf and tell the Board to vote “NO” against Stepping Forward rent increases!

We will meet at the International Fountain at Seattle Center and march together to the SHA office (a 7-minute walk or roll) at 190 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109. The Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 5pm. Please visit http://stopSHA.wordpress.com/ for more information about the STOP Stepping Forward campaign!“