More than half of Bellingham residents rent their homes. To create better, more regular opportunities to hear from people who rent and people who manage rentals, Mayor Kim Lund has appointed the City’s first ever Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group. Bellingham City Council confirmed the appointments on August 24, 2026.
Almost 60 applicants applied, representing a broad range of lived and professional experience in rental housing. Mayor Lund appointed 13 members:
- Lizet Albarran
- McLean Bowers
- Stacey Carroll
- Nathan Cathersal
- Selena Knoblauch
- Lacey Lutjemeier
- Charly Myers
- Bailee Peterson
- Kevin Schilling
- Rebekah Sharf
- Jessica Silver
- Kimberly Vermeulen
“I’m grateful to these community members for stepping forward to share their experience and expertise,” said Julia Burns, Rental Protection Program Specialist. “With more than nearly 23,000 rental units in Bellingham, it’s essential that we regularly hear from people who rent and people who provide rental housing. Their insights will help us develop thoughtful and informed improvements to our rental programs and policies.”
To ensure diverse voices are included, the group includes:
- 6 members who are currently tenants
- 5 members with landlord and/or property management experience
- 4 members with experience in construction trades, non‑profit housing, tenant advocacy, conflict resolution, community engagement, or related fields
- 1 member who practices landlord‑tenant law
The City created this limited-term work group after City Council approved Resolution #2026‑10 in May 2026. The resolution reaffirms the City’s commitment to supporting safe, quality, and accessible rental housing. The group will evaluate existing City regulations, policies, and systems related to rental housing and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
“As a Council Member, I’m encouraged by the breadth of perspectives represented in this group,” Council President Hannah Stone said. “Their work will help ensure the City’s rental programs continue to improve and remain grounded by the lived experiences of Bellingham residents.”
The work group will meet monthly for a year beginning September 15, 2026. All work, including a final report and recommendations, is expected to finish by the end of 2027. The work group will dissolve after presenting its final report to the Mayor and City Council.
Feedback from tenants, landlords, and housing partners has guided recent improvements to City of Bellingham landlord and tenant programs, and the City looks forward to continued collaboration through the new work group.
Learn more about the group, including its full scope of work, on the Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group webpage.
