Preventing Illegal Evictions from Transitional Housing
A formerly homeless woman living in a transitional housing hotel in Lacey was locked out of the unit she had occupied for two years and denied access to her personal belongings, including her clothes and toiletries. When she pleaded to stay, staff called the police. NJP argued that such practices violate Washington State law. It's a growing problem.
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Eviction Prevention Cuts Would Only Drive More Costs for WA
A planned $3 million cut to Washington State's Eviction Prevention Program would deny 2,000 tenants the right to an attorney in eviction court — and would be felt across communities and elsewhere in the state budget. It's a decision now before the WA State Legislature.
Read the commentary in the Washington State Standard by Abigail Daquiz, Executive Director of Northwest Justice Project, and Sandra Miller, Executive Director of Sound Legal Aid: https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/30/eviction-prevention-cuts-will-only-drive-more-costs-for-wa/
When your only shelter is towed, impounded, sold or scrapped
When a Skagit County resident's motorhome broke down, law enforcement had it towed to an impound lot. The operators denied him access to his ownership documents, which were locked inside his home.
NJP takes Burien’s sleeping ban to appeals court
NJP is representing the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH) and co-plaintiffs in filing an appeal in their ongoing legal challenge to a City of Burien ordinance that prohibits people from sleeping in any public place at any time.
Transitional Housing Provider and City of Shelton sued for Illegal Police Eviction
OLYMPIA, WA – October 1, 2024 – Northwest Justice Project (NJP), a nonprofit statewide law firm, has sued transitional housing provider Crossroads Housing, the city of Shelton, and four of its officers for the illegal eviction of Michelle Engles. Body cam footage of the illegal eviction of Ms. Engels from her one-bedroom apartment is available. […]
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Advocacy Update: U.S. Supreme Court rolls back protection for homeless individuals
On June 28, 2024, the United States Supreme Court determined that cities may arrest and banish homeless residents who sleep or shelter outdoors in the city, even when they have nowhere else to sleep or the city does not provide access to shelter indoors. The decision, in favor of Grants Pass, Oregon, overturned the 2018 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Martin v. Boise, which had found the practice of penalizing people for sleeping outside if no shelter was available to be “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Kathleen and Aaron Allen: Tenant victory with statewide impact
Most evictions in Washington State never go to court. They are resolved through settlements between landlords and tenants. After Kathleen and Aaron Allen, mother and daughter, were threatened with eviction, they agreed to a settlement with their landlord, Princeton Property Management.
Press Release: Washington Appeals Court: Eviction Settlements that Strip Tenants’ Rights Are Void
SEATTLE, WA – April 5, 2024 – The Elves for the Homeless and four unhoused individuals residing in Clarkston, Washington, filed a lawsuit today challenging the city of Clarkston's Ordinance 1706 as unconstitutional and in violation of the American with Disabilities Act.
Michael Shapsnikoff overcomes addiction and eviction
After overcoming addiction and working to get his life back, Michael Shapsnikoff was unable to secure housing because an eviction was part of his rental history, and many landlords screen out prospective tenants with an eviction record.
As Michael pursued recovery, he reached out to Northwest Justice Project (NJP) for help. NJP worked with Michael to petition the court for an Order of Limited Dissemination (OLD), which removes an eviction from a person’s rental history. The court granted the OLD in 2023, clearing the path for Michael to find stable housing.
Press Release: Unhoused Clarkston Residents and the Elves for the Homeless Sues Clarkston Over Unconstitutional Ordinance
SEATTLE, WA – April 5, 2024 – The Elves for the Homeless and four unhoused individuals residing in Clarkston, Washington, filed a lawsuit today challenging the city of Clarkston's Ordinance 1706 as unconstitutional and in violation of the American with Disabilities Act.