Title
Rental Housing Code Community Engagement Report
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a discussion on the rental housing public engagement conducted and direct staff to proceed with program proposal or draft code language.
Report
Issue:
Whether to provide an update and discuss the public engagement conducted on potential rental housing code solutions.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Housing Program Specialist, City Manager’s Office, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Jason Robertson, J. Robertson & Company
Background and Analysis:
One of six strategies for meeting Olympia’s housing needs identified in the Housing Action Plan is to Make it Easier for Households to Access Housing and Stay Housed. One proposed action related to this strategy is #2.a. Identify and implement appropriate tenant protections that improve household stability.
The City contracted consultant Jason Robertson to plan and implement public engagement opportunities to identify potential solutions and unintended consequences to rental housing code options. Staff and the consultant (project team) have previously presented to Committee members the research conducted on peer city policies, initial stakeholder interviews, and code options.
In February and March 2022, the project team posted three community surveys on the Engage Olympia webpage: one for renters, one for renter advocates and interested third parties, and one for landlords. In March 2022, the project team facilitated four focus groups to engage renters, renter advocates, and landlords (one focus group was specifically focused on “mom and pop” landlords). The surveys closed in late March.
An overview of survey results and focus group summaries have been compiled for the Land Use & Environment Committee’s review. The project team is now assembling survey and focus group input, priorities, and analysis to present to the Committee. At the meeting, the project team will present an updated table of policy options with community feedback, will respond to questions on attached data, and will provide considerations on potential policy actions.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Potential changes to Olympia Municipal Code’s Rental Housing Code (OMC 5.82) are a topic of significant interest to renters and rental housing owners/operators within the City and around Thurston County. Any work on this topic will draw a great deal of local and regional attention and public engagement.
City of Tumwater staff have recommended rental housing codes to Tumwater City Council. Many rental housing owners operate in both Olympia and Tumwater, so there will be significant community interest in changes adopted by both Olympia and Tumwater’s Councils.
Options:
1. Direct staff to prepare program proposal or draft code language for a future Land Use & Environment Committee meeting.
2. Direct staff to do additional research on policy or program options.
3. Extend the contract with J. Robertson & Company to conduct additional community engagement on policy priorities.
4. Take other action.
Financial Impact:
If the Committee chooses to extend the contract with J. Robertson & Company, additional funding must be allocated. The current contract allotted $50,000 and was extended through April 30, 2022. Approximately $5,000 remains for work completed in the month of April 2022. Staff time will be required for any additional research and policy development.
Attachments:
Survey Results Overview
March 3 Renter Advocate Focus Group Summary
March 9 Renter Focus Group Summary
March 10 Landlord Focus Group Summary
March 23 Small Landlord Focus group summary