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Dispute Resolution in Housing

Washington’s Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) have been supporting people’s housing stability and equity statewide for almost 40 years. DRCs offer mediation and conflict resolution to navigate many types of housing issues outside of court. 

 

DRCs help homeowners, landlords and tenants, roommates and neighbors to talk, access resources, and resolve issues between them including connecting them with legal assistance. Working to solve housing conflicts before an eviction, foreclosure, or unstable housing situation supports people staying in housing and avoiding experiencing homelessness.

 

Each regional Center’s services may differ depending on the need in the local community. Services are confidential and affordable or free. Housing services provided by some DRCs include:

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  • Neighbor-to-neighbor or roommate-to-roommate conflict mediation and conflict resolution addressing housing problems and disputes.

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  • Help for tenants to improve qualifications and housing opportunities, including renter certification. 

 

  • Apartment and multi-family neighbor dispute mediation, in partnership with the landlord or property management, if needed. Some past facilitations include supporting LGBTQ+ communities with safety plans and supporting violence and drug activity reduction programs at multi-family housing.

 

  • Conflict resolution training for housing professionals, service providers, and foreclosure mediators.

 

  • Community engagement and facilitation of large public engagement meetings on topics such as homelessness shelter planning and civility projects.

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From November 2021 through June 2023, DRCs also directly served more than 200,000 tenants and landlords statewide through the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP).

 

If you are a landlord or tenant looking for resources, please see our resources page.

 

Check with your local DRC about what is available in your region to help you navigate and resolve conflicts around housing.

 

Commitment to Equity and Access to Justice  

Resolution Washington recognizes that people of color and other underserved community members are disproportionately impacted in housing challenges. The DRCs’ role is to provide services with a focus on helping people create solutions that work for them and providing access to justice for Washington residents statewide.

 

Resolution Washington is committed to equal justice for all marginalized community members and supports people of color and low-income residents in having access to equitable opportunities statewide. DRC certified mediators complete training in equity and addressing power imbalances between participants.

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Language Assistance
Language assistance services and interpreters are available to you free of charge. Call your local Dispute Resolution Center.

Why DRC mediation?

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DRCs reduce the burdens of the courts, saving taxpayers money, and increasing access to justice for traditionally underserved populations. In 2023 DRCs statewide mediated and facilitated 15,796 cases, 71% of which reached agreements. 86% of clients reported mediation improved their situation. DRCs trained 8,451 community members in 2023.

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Annually DRCs utilize over $1.3 million worth of volunteer hours and directly serve over 144,000 people, their families and others whose lives are positively affected by mediation and other services and reach out to Washington residents statewide.

© Resolution Washington | The member association for Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) in Washington State

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