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...
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