HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/24/2026 Item 4a, Wahouske (2)
cole <cwahouske@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Rental Registry
Dear Mayor Stewart, Councilmembers, and Staff:
The February 24, 2026 study session on rental registries was a missed opportunity to advance a pro-
housing policy that would directly benefit the nearly two-thirds of SLO residents who are renters.
Even though a majority of the Council seemed ready to move forward now to develop a comprehensive,
mandatory registry, the minority thwarted their efforts. Rather than taking action to advance this positive,
pro-housing policy, Council kicked the can down the road.
Must we wait another two years, or more, to know how many rental units there actually are here, where
they’re located, what the average rent is, who owns them, what the rate of turnover is, and so much
more? Will the City continue making critically important decisions about housing, zoning, infrastructure,
and development in the dark? Our General Plan Housing Element update will be a wasted exercise
without this information.
Please, I urge you to reverse course and direct staff to continue working to develop a mandatory,
software-based rental registry ordinance now and prepare for its roll-out over the coming year. Improving
the housing situation in SLO is a dire priority, this is the first step towards policy and improvement.
Sincerely,
Cole Wahouske
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