Title
Approval of an Ordinance Establishing Rental Housing Registry and Inspection Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee recommends approving an Ordinance establishing a rental housing registry and inspection program.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve an Ordinance establishing a rental housing registry and inspection program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Ordinance establishing a rental housing registry and inspection program.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Office of Community Vitality, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Office of Community Vitality
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
In May 2021, the City of Olympia began a process of community engagement and staff research to develop landlord-tenant protections that could be undertaken by the city to stabilize housing for renters and make it easier to access housing. Establishing tenant protections to address housing stability is addressed under Strategy 2.a. of the City's Housing Action Plan ("Identify and implement appropriate tenant protections that improve household stability"). In Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, community engagement with landlords, renters, and advocates was completed to gather feedback about potential policies to help stabilize renters and make it easier to access housing. This engagement included one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and online surveys. This guidance led to adoption of an ordinance in August 2022 of the first phase of tenant protections.
In May 2022, Land Use & Environment Committee (LUEC) directed staff to explore options for implementing a rental housing registration program. Staff from Housing, Code Enforcement, Building Inspections, Community Planning & Development, and Climate met regularly to review peer city programs and options. Staff interviewed peer c...
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