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<br /> <br />The Rental Housing program is a Special Revenue Fund which allows program revenues to stay within <br />the fund, and excess revenue is placed into reserves for use in subsequent years. All program costs are <br />covered by a $10 fee assessed annually for each rental unit. With approximately 29,800 rental units in <br />Eugene, unit fees account for approximately $290,000 in revenue. Late payment fees currently generate <br />about $7,000 in additional revenue. The reserve balance is projected to reach $180,000 at the end of <br />fiscal year 2011. The reserve will be used for program operations and is forecast to be reduced to <br />$80,000 by fiscal year 2017. <br /> <br /> <br />PROGRAM STATUS AND NEXT STEPS <br />Without further action, the Rental Housing Code is automatically repealed, effective December 31, <br />2011. There are a number of factors to consider in regard to rental housing in general. <br /> <br />1.The City is currently in the strategy refinement stage of Envision Eugene. Several of the pillars <br />and strategies directly relate to this program. <br /> <br />a.Provide affordable housing for all income levels <br /> <br />b.Promote compact urban development and efficient transportation options <br /> <br />c.Protect, repair and enhance neighborhood livability <br /> <br />2.The City, university and neighborhood partners are currently working on issues of neighborhood <br />livability in the university area. While our rental housing stock is spread across the entire city, <br />this is an area we are exploring strategies to improve livability of tenants and homeowners. <br />Other university towns with rental housing standards include Corvallis, Boulder, Seattle, Tempe, <br />Chapel Hill, and many more. <br /> <br />3.The Community Climate and Energy Action Plan includes strategies for improving energy <br />efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the current housing stock. Approximately <br />66 percent of Eugene’s housing stock was built before 1980, when efficiency standards were <br />much lower, signifying a substantial opportunity to increase energy efficiency in existing <br />buildings. <br /> <br />Over the next few months, staff will continue to evaluate the existing program and seek feedback from <br />members of the DAC and community regarding the best outcomes for rental housing in Eugene. Staff <br />will return in the fall with a program recommendation for council consideration. <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br /> <br />The Rental Housing Program connects with four of the five council goals, including: Safe Community, <br />Sustainable Development, Effective, Accountable Municipal Government and Fair, Stable and Adequate <br />Financial Resources. <br /> <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />This work session is informational only; no recommendation is being offered at this time. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> \\cesrv500\CC Support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110615\S110615B and attA.doc <br />