Tacoma renters could gain new legal protections under Measure 1, but a Seattle real estate firm has put $175,000 behind the effort to stop it.

Goodman Real Estate made the donation through its Shirley Tacoma LLC to the Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA) political action committee, which opposes the ballot measure.

The News Tribune first reported the contribution on Oct. 20. Goodman owns several apartment complexes in Tacoma.

The check is the largest single contribution in the Measure 1 race. The opposition has raised $248,336 total, while the Tacoma For All PAC supporting the initiative has raised $176,928, according to state Public Disclosure Commission filings cited by the News Tribune.

The gap is wide.

Measure 1, also called Safe Homes for All, would require the city to investigate credible tenant complaints about habitability or safety violations. Landlords found in violation would face penalties of at least $500 and up to five times the monthly rent.

Fines would go directly to affected tenants. The initiative would also create a public database of landlord information, including evictions and rent increases.

The measure follows Tacoma's 2023 Tenant Bill of Rights, which passed by fewer than 400 votes. That law added renter protections to city code but lacks an enforcement mechanism, leaving tenants to take landlords to court on their own.

Both sides claim outside interference

Ty Moore, executive director of Tacoma For All and Measure 1 campaign manager, called it "outrageous that a multi-billion-dollar Seattle real estate empire … feels entitled to come into Tacoma and effectively try and buy this election."

Moore said more than 500 small donors have raised over $200,000 for the campaign. Volunteers knocked an estimated 30,000 doors and heard from tenants dealing with mold, exorbitant fees and landlord retaliation with no legal recourse, he said.

Kevin Schilling, RHAWA's government affairs and advocacy director, countered that the pro-Measure 1 side also draws outside support. He pointed to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who rallied for the initiative at a Sept. 28 fundraiser in Seattle, as reported by KNKX Public Radio. Schilling said the donation is transparent and that anyone can look up contributions online.

Schilling argued the measure would raise costs for housing providers and push small landlords to sell their properties, increasing bureaucracy and fees. RHAWA represents more than 1,000 members in Tacoma who own an average of 2.5 units each, he said.

State Sen. Yasmin Trudeau and Tacoma Councilmember Latasha Palmer were among more than 50 leaders who signed an open letter in the News Tribune denouncing outside spending in the race.

Goodman Real Estate executive chairman George Petrie was Seattle's leading donor to President Donald Trump in 2021, according to a Seattle Times report cited by the News Tribune and KNKX.

The News Tribune reported that a Goodman associate referred the paper to RHAWA for comment.

Cost estimates diverge

How much the program would cost remains disputed. Tacoma City Manager Hyun Kim has estimated implementation at $8 million to $10 million annually. Moore has said the measure would cost about $1 million, with rental-licensing fees covering much of the expense, according to the Tacoma Weekly.

Under the initiative, large landlords controlling 25 or more units would have 18 months to obtain a rental license. All other landlords would have three years. Small landlords with four or fewer units would be exempt from some repeat-violation fees.

Ballots are being mailed ahead of the November election. The News Tribune reported a Nov. 4 date, while the Tacoma Weekly reported Nov. 3.