Protecting Long-Term Care Residents from Unlawful Evictions
January 22, 2026 | News, Resources
In January 2026, advocates filed a legal action urging Washington State to fix gaps in rules that fail to fully protect long-term care residents from unwanted discharge, transfer, or eviction.
While federal law requires residents in community-based care settings—such as assisted living facilities and adult family homes—to receive eviction protections comparable to landlord-tenant laws, current state rules do not clearly provide or explain those rights. Although the rules include access to legal counsel for some residents, they leave out many critical protections under state and local law.
Advocates are asking the court to require the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to revise its rules so residents receive clear, complete information about their rights and the legal process required before they can be forced from their homes.
DSHS can update these rules at any time. Doing so would strengthen protections for thousands of vulnerable adults and help prevent unlawful evictions and housing instability.
Read more Here: Eviction Protection Petition Press Release