The Eugene City Council unanimously approved a motion Monday night to draft a housing ordinance similar to one used in Corvallis, moving Eugene residents closer to a new housing code.
The motion called for city staff to create an ordinance that would provide for local enforcement of housing standards. Housing regulations are currently provided by the Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; however, the city lacks ways to enforce these rules, and renters seeking recourse against their landlords must use the city court. Under the suggested ordinance, negligent landlords could face fines.
Ward 3 City Councilor David Kelly, who represents the University area, said staff will present an ordinance proposal to the council at a work session before the council recesses for the summer. He said final action on an ordinance probably will not occur until the fall when students return to campus.
If approved, the code would go into effect in two phases. First, multi-family units would be incorporated as early as January 2005. The second phase would expand the program to include single-family units and duplexes, effective as early as July 2005.
The city currently has about 30,000 renter-occupied housing units, according to city documents.
The Corvallis code covers four habitability standards, mandating that landlords must maintain structural integrity, plumbing, heating and weatherproofing of their buildings.
Under the Corvallis program, a tenant must show documentation that he or she has informed the landlord about a situation and has allowed the landlord 10 days to correct the problem before filing the complaint. Complaints are handled by a housing specialist for the city, which deals with an estimated 35 calls per month and investigates an average of 12 cases per year, according to the agenda.
The Corvallis program is funded by a yearly $8 per-unit fee, and the Eugene code may be similarly funded. City staff estimates the ongoing program would cost about $200,000 to $290,000 each year and require two to three full-time staff members to oversee it.
Ward 1 City Councilor Bonny Bettman said housing violations are a significant issue in the city.
“It seems that without a mechanism to enforce (standards), we have no way to inventory complaints,” she said.
Bettman said residents desire housing standards.
“I heard very, very strongly … that that was their top issue,” she said. “I do think there’s an undocumented problem.”
Ward 2 City Councilor Betty Taylor said a combination of fines and fees would help enforce housing rules.
“If landlords know they can be fined, they will be more likely to respond,” she said.
Mayor Jim Torrey said housing standards will alleviate pressure on city courts.
“I’m definitely in favor of not going to municipal court for this,” he said.
Torrey recommended that the council ask Corvallis officials what they would change about their
program. He also said a future housing office should be initially understaffed until the need for additional workers is demonstrated.
Ward 7 City Councilor Scott Meisner also supported creation of a housing program, although he said it may be a temporary measure.
“I hope we reach a point in the future when there’s no need for such a program,” he said.
Ward 8 City Councilor Nancy Nathanson said she hopes exemptions are made in the ordinance for University housing and units that are partially occupied by their owners and partially rented. Nathanson also expressed concerns about fees, asking city staff to look into multi-year licenses, which she said might lower the cost of fees.
Bettman applauded community efforts to create housing standards.
“I just want to briefly commend and congratulate the community coalition that worked on this,” she said. “I think they did a very thorough and fair and inclusive job on this.”
Former ASUO President Maddy Melton, who has worked with the Eugene Citizens for Housing Standards, said the decision to base an ordinance on the Corvallis system will be beneficial to renters.
“We are very excited that the council is paying attention and taking action on an issue that’s been around for 20 years,” she said.