HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2017 - WalkerCOUNCIL MEETING: :)- -1(0-1
ITEM NO.: P.R10E0
From: Steven Walker[ 5LO CITY CLERK
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 10:24 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncii@s_#ocity.or >
Subject: Rental Housing Inspection Program, 2/16/2017
Dear Mayor Harmon, Vice Mayor Rivoire, Councilwoman Pease, Councilman Gomez and
Councilwoman Christianson,
I am not able to attend the meeting on February 16'h so I offer my comments through this letter.
Please repeal the Rental Housing Inspection Program.
Since 2014, we've sat through meetings, workshops and hearings regarding the RHIP. The vast
majority of public members — from young families to local business owners, from recent college
graduates to elderly living on a fixed income, from college student renters to retired landlords — have
spoken in opposition to this program. It's unbelievable that the previous Council voted to approve it.
They clearly did not represent the voice of the majority in our city.
"Neighborhood Wellness" was the reason given for the adoption of the ordinance. In my neighborhood,
the program has caused higher rents which has resulted in more tenants cramming into a homes in
order to afford the increase. Is "wellness" relegated only to the elite? To those who can afford to pay
astronomical rent to house their family? Or to those who can afford to make their home shiny and new?
Or to those who purchased their home when real estate was more affordable? Rent is already
expensive and this program has exacerbated that problem.
A nearby property owner sold his house due to the anticipated costs of making improvements because
of the RHIP, and the new owner gutted the house then doubled the rent. There are now twice the
number of students living there. This has happened all over the city since the RHIP was implemented. It
is counterintuitive to the concept of Neighborhood Wellness!
I believe the RHIP was the single greatest issue that motivated voters to show up and vote in 2016,
which was a record turnout in San Luis Obispo. Those voters decided to elect council members who
spoke against the RHIP, including a new Mayor who defeated the long-term incumbent who, not
coincidently, voted to put the RHIP in place.
The message is clear:
Repeal the Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance. Nothing less. No tweaking or massaging this
paternalistic program into a less-bitter pill. Just do away with it.
Educate and empower renters. An entire city department is not needed to handle this issue. Tenant
Unions on college campuses have proved to be an effective tool in communities such as Isla Vista.
Information about Tenant's Rights should also be available on the city website. An anonymous
tip/whistleblower line can be established for those too shy to come forward for fear of reprisal. The local
law school can offer resources to tenants, facilitated by law students.
There are dozens of ways to solve the problem and the RHIP or another new tweaked ordinance is not
the answer.
I appreciate your service and hope you will consider my voice as you deliberate.
Sincerely,
Steve Walker