Item C: Rental Housing Code Program Update

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legitimate complaints filed with the City. Six of the properties had additional safety concerns beyond the scope of the Rental Housing Code and were posted as a dangerous building (e.g., faulty electrical systems, inadequate exit way, structurally unsound). Civil penalties were assessed to encourage compliance on five of the complaints due to lack of owner response. Outreach Staff continues outreach efforts to both property owners and tenants in the City of Eugene. Staff has made contact with various community partners; distributed informational brochures and posters, developed informational door hangers and mailed out postcards to single family dwelling tenants. Rental housing brochures are distributed at various locations throughout the City including the Eugene Llibrary and branches, community centers, non-profit housing agencies, social service agencies, and other community service agencies. Staff attended various community meetings including West University Neighborhood Association (WUNA), South University Neighborhood Association (SUNA), Rental Owners Association (ROA), Neighborhood Leaders Council, Community Resource Group, Multi-Family Council and the Housing Policy Board. Tenants may submit complaints online and via fax. Additionally, Oregon Legal Aid, Associated Students of the University of Oregon and Oregon Housing and Community Services make referrals to Eugene staff and have access to complaint forms at their offices. Forms can be filled out at these locations and faxed directly to City staff. RELATED CITY POLICIES Chapter III, Existing Housing Supply and Neighborhoods, Policy A.25 of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan 2004 update: Conserve the metropolitan area’s supply of existing affordable housing and increase the stability and quality of older residential neighborhoods, through measures such as revitalization; code enforcement; appropriate zoning; rehabilitation programs; relocation of existing structures; traffic calming; parking requirements; or public considerations. These actions should support planned densities in these areas. COUNCIL OPTIONS The ordinance is currently scheduled to sunset December 31, 2008, if no action is taken by the council. To continue the Rental Housing Code, the council can direct the City Manager to modify the ordinance to remove or change the sunset provision as well as make other changes. 1.Direct the City Manager to modify the ordinance to remove or change the sunset provision. 2.Direct the City Manager to modify the ordinance with specific enhancements or changes and return to council. 3.Take no action allowing the program to end December 31, 2008. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to prepare an ordinance to remove the sunset date to continue the current program.