$725K Settlement to Tenants for Wrongful Eviction
Northwest Justice Project (NJP) and Rivercrest Law PLLC announced today that claims brought by Ms. Aaron Allen and the Estate of Kathleen Allen have been settled for $725,000.
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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OPINION: WA long-term care residents should have the same rights as renters
In his opinion piece, Scott Wilson, a 66-year-old assisted living resident in Yakima, Washington, describes himself as “a fighter” – and he’s had to be. Facing two eviction attempts from his facility, Wilson turned to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and attorneys at the Northwest Justice Project, who provided legal counsel to help him navigate the appeal process.
He won both times. But he knows most residents aren’t so fortunate, noting that “many of us don’t have family or friends to help us learn about our rights and navigate the burden of appealing.” Wilson has joined the Long-Term Care Ombuds and NJP in suing the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to strengthen eviction rules for residents in long-term care, urging that “the state can do better to support older adults who are facing eviction and homelessness.”
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/
“Are property owners breaking the law?” Tenants asked and CLEAR answered
Residents in a Manufactured Home Park fought an illegal rent increase, learning about the law, and engaging the help of an NJP CLEAR attorney and the Washington Attorney General’s Office. A key part of Northwest Justice Project is our CLEAR team — lawyers who connect with people over the phone to provide legal advice and […]
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How Julie Sued Her Landlord – and Won
When Julie Heston was in danger of falling behind on bills after shoulder surgery during the Covid pandemic in 2021, she was able to obtain four months rental assistance through the Community Action Center (CAC) in Pullman. Her landlord, Ed Christensen, was irate. He made clear that he had no intention of participating in any […]
A Stranger Tried to Steal Sheridan Skelly’s Home. NJP Fought Back—and Uncovered a $28 Million Scheme
NJP’s Foreclosure Prevention Unit uncovered a scheme in which co-conspirators used legal loopholes to take control of about 200 estates of deceased strangers, selling at least 90 inherited homes worth over $28 million. NJP tracked suspicious probate filings and brought its findings to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, which sued.
Comment: Evictions Highlight Disparity in Rights of Homeowners vs. Renters
Someone who locks a homeowner out of their house and steals their property would be criminally charged. But when landlords illegally lock out tenants and dispose of their belongings, law enforcement typically dismisses it as a “civil dispute,” not a crime. That double standard makes a recent Island County jury verdict all the more remarkable. […]
Evicted from the Home I Owned
In 2018 my now ex-husband and I decided to rent-to-own a one-bedroom one-bathroom house in Electric City. I was working full time as a cashier at a gas station. We used his mother's inheritance to put down a large down payment and began making monthly payments. Then in 2020, I had two major strokes. I […]
Ed Fought for His Home Title for Seven Years
A 67-year-old mobile park resident in rural Washington waited seven anxious years to receive his title, despite repeated promises from park management. With legal help from NJP attorneys, Ed finally secured his title and his peace of mind – but only after potential legal action forced the park owners to produce it.