Seattle’s Rental Squeeze

When the Seattle Times reported on the steep drop in apartment development across King County, the implications were clear: rising rents, shrinking options, and increasing strain on vulnerable renters. To understand what this trend really means for our region’s future, they turned to the University of Washington’s housing expert Gregg Colburn.

Colburn, an associate professor in the UW College of Built Environments, studies housing markets and homelessness. In the article, he connects the dots between declining construction, rising demand, and eviction risk, especially for those living near the financial edge.

“I hope I’m wrong,” Colburn told the Times. “But I think if we get sub-5% vacancy rates, trying to keep rental growth at 1 to 2% a year is going to be very difficult.” His forecast? Even with a rent cap in place, many will face sharp increases. Some may lose housing altogether.

At a time when King County needs 300,000 new housing units to meet future demand, Colburn’s work underscores that this is not just a real estate story. It is a story about equity, community well-being, and long-term regional resilience.

Colburn’s research continues to inform policy conversations locally and nationally. As faculty at one of the nation’s leading colleges for the built environment, he exemplifies UW’s public promise: using data, research, and insight to help communities navigate complex challenges and find a way forward.