Item 3: Ordinance Extending the Sunset Date for the Rental Housing Code

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financial resources either somewhat or a lot; and 60 percent of respondents felt the program supports community livability either somewhat or a lot.  A majority of 67 percent of respondents felt that the annual $10 unit-cost was reasonable.  When asked about possible changes to the code, 64 percent of respondents agreed that the time between the verification of a housing concern and the deadline for its repair should be reduced in some cases. Currently an owner has as long as 20 days to make repairs and if the problem is something like no heat in the winter, the survey indicates a majority of respondents consider that too long a time.  Pests and vermin (49 percent), functional appliance (40 percent), and energy efficiency (31 percent) topped the list of other housing conditions that respondents felt the code should address. Forty percent of respondents did not select any additional conditions. Triple Bottom Line In August 2011, City staff from several program areas reviewed the program using the triple bottom line framework of economic prosperity, social equity and environmental health. The effort reinforced that the Rental Housing Code serves as a preventative program in the community and addresses an important community need. It also surfaced the potential for more effective outreach that would be accessible in other languages. In addition, it was observed that the topic of “rental housing” intersects a range of programs within the City, as well as nonprofits and private business. While the scope of the Rental Housing Code is limited to the physical condition of rentals, there are also a range of other issues that are not currently addressed or coordinated. Next Steps During the council’s June work session staff heard a desire to:  ensure fees were reasonable and to consider adjusting if over-collecting;  explore whether additional issues should be addressed through the program;  explain City’s program in context of existing State landlord/tenant laws; and  provide a history of the program to the council. Based on the council’s feedback and the public input received so far, staff are recommending a nine-month extension through September of 2012 to more fully evaluate the program. This approach would allow the council to take additional action on the program before the next billing cycle and allow the program to stay consistent through the remainder of the school year. No fees for the next fiscal year would be collected before the council takes action. RELATED CITY POLICIES The Rental Housing Program connects with four of the five council goals, including: Safe Community, Sustainable Development, Effective, Accountable Municipal Government and Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial Resources. Rental housing also been mentioned in a several current plans including Envision Eugene and the Climate and Energy Action Plan. COUNCIL OPTIONS This is a public hearing. S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M111121\S1111213.doc