Item A - Housing Standards - Laserfiche WebLink

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number of rental units is somewhat higher, perhaps closer to 33,000. 3. Existing Housing Related Regulations and Services Several sources of regulations and services currently apply to housing standards. The City has authority to regulate existing housing standards under Chapter 8 of the Eugene Code if the structure is determined to be "dangerous." This ordinance includes such factors as "structurally unsound which could lead to its partial or entire collapse, is especially likely to cause fire, electrical shock or asphyxiation, especially liable to cause spread of fire or contagious or infectious disease." In addition, the City also has authority to regulate certain external housing conditions through the nuisance regulations in Chapter 6 of the Eugene Code. Nuisances include open vacant structures, accumulations of garbage, trash, junk accumulations, conditions that attract rats and junk cars. The State Residential Landlord and Tenant Act includes general habitability and maintenance standards for rental units in addition to legal protections for tenants. The law is enforced through the legal system as a civil matter. For low-income renters, the Lane County Law and Advocacy Center offers assistance in understanding and enforcing the state law. For university students, the Associated Students of the University of Oregon Legal Services provides similar assistance in understanding tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. Lane County Housing Authority and Community Services Agency (HACSA) manages public housing and Section 8 certificates and vouchers throughout Lane County. All of the units managed through HACSA's programs are inspected to meet the Federal Housing Quality Standards established by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Other subsidized low-income housing developments are subject to the same standards. The City's Housing Rehabilitation Program assists owners of low-income rentals by providing low interest loans to repair and rehabilitate rental properties. Properties must meet Federal Housing Quality Standards after the repairs are completed. In addition to providing low interest loans, the City promotes the program by contacting owners when complaints about substandard housing are received. 4. Other Jurisdictions in Oregon Several cities in Oregon have housing codes, although they all are different. Attachment B summarizes the results of a survey, identifies which jurisdictions have housing codes, and highlights the differences of the various programs. Portland's and Medford's housing programs are supported with general fund dollars. The Salem and Corvallis programs are supported with rental fees, although Salem's program only covers multifamily units, motels, and hotels. The Corvallis Housing Code is the most recent code adopted and has been receiving a lot of attention from the Eugene Citizens for Housing Standards group. Corvallis's housing code discussions followed a similar path to the City of Eugene's discussions of housing codes over the years. Corvallis established a department advisory committee that spent several years on the code and decided not to adopt standards due to funding challenges and the lack of a documented need. Several years ago the Associated Students Association pushed for housing standards again and the city adopted the current code. Once the Corvallis City Council directed staff to move ahead with a housing code, it took three years to adopt the code and implement the program. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040524\S040524B.wpd