Title
Update on Rental Housing Process
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion only. No action requested.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a discussion on the rental housing public engagement process and direct staff to proceed with public engagement, along with provide any guidance
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update and discuss peer city research, initial stakeholder outreach, and a framework for public engagement on potential rental housing code solutions.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Housing Program Specialist, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Christa Lenssen, Housing Program Specialist
Jason Robertson, J. Robertson & Co.
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.
Staff has completed research on various peer city approaches to rental housing policies, applicable State statutes, and recent changes to the State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. (Staff presented the Committee a summary of recent changes to the Act in May 2021.) The City has also contracted consultant Jason Robertson to plan and implement public engagement to identify potential solutions and unintended consequences to code options.
In September and October 2021, staff along with consultant Jason Robertson completed:
* Several one-on-one stakeholder interviews with tenant advocates, nonprofit housing providers, property management companies, small landlords, and other third party governmental or nonprofit service providers who interact with both landlords and tenants.
* Interviews with several peer cities who have implemented various renter protections. These initial interviews provided an opportunity to test potential policy proposals, learn about current challenges in the ren...
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