ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is taking the next step in its quest to stand up for renter rights.
City Council voted unanimously to form a new city commission looking out for renters’ interests Monday night, Sept. 20.
The move to form an 11-member Renters Commission, which comes as dozens of landlords sue the city over a new renter rights law, was applauded by renters.
“In my view, this is a long-overdue change that will give some relief and maybe a small transfer of power toward the majority of residents in the city, who are renters,” said Amir Fleischmann of the University of Michigan Graduate Employees’ Organization, calling for giving renters more rights.
The fact that landlords are now suing the city over a new leasing ordinance “only highlights the power that landlords think they have here and the unjust conditions that renters have been dealing with for decades,” said Ember McCoy, another GEO member and a renter in Ann Arbor.
“In a city that’s over 50% renters, with no renters currently sitting on City Council, the representation and expertise a renters commission can lend is truly invaluable,” McCoy said.
Dozens of landlords sue Ann Arbor over new renter rights law
Residents offered mixed feedback on council’s split decision to give landlords two non-voting seats on the commission.
Some residents are urging council to reconsider that, arguing landlords already have enough influence. Fleischmann worries it could set precedent for other cities to put landlords on their renters commissions.
“Renters have so little power,” he said. “Property owners have every single seat on City Council. Renters need their own commission free from landlord involvement.”
Council Member Travis Radina, D-3rd Ward, was the lead sponsor of the proposal to form the new commission, which is expected to meet regularly to discuss matters affecting renters and advise City Council and the city administrator on policies, practices and laws to consider.
By his count, it’s the third municipal renters commission in the U.S., following Seattle and King County, Washington.
Citing concerns about “a sizable and troubling power imbalance” between tenants and landlords, Radina said renters’ voices too often are overlooked in important policy decisions affecting housing affordability, access to transportation, land use, public health, safety and economic development.
“And yet, until now, there has been no formal city body to provide our renters with a true voice on our policy and decision-making process,” he said. “So, this is a really big deal tonight.”
Radina envisions a renters commission that is diverse and representative of a wide range of perspectives.
The commission will be appointed by the mayor and council and its voting members will include renter perspectives “such as student, youth, low-income, LGBTQ, immigrant, persons with criminal records, persons receiving rental subsidies, cooperative or group housing, tenant advocacy groups, persons who have experienced homelessness, or historically underrepresented groups,” the council resolution states.
The commission also should include at least one attorney with experience representing renters or advocating for their interests, the resolution states.
Mayor Christopher Taylor said the city formed the Transportation Commission during his time in office and it’s been an important part of conversations about community safety. With the Renters Commission, the city is going to have an opportunity to focus on needs of renters, he said.
“There is a substantial and structural power imbalance between renters and landlords,” he said, agreeing with Radina, adding it’s important renters have a voice in city government.
“The creation of a renters commission is going to provide a place for that,” Taylor said. “And I’m really excited about the policy recommendations that they will, in the fullness of time, bring forward, because I think it’s going to improve the quality of life in the community.”
Council Member Elizabeth Nelson, D-4th Ward, proposed removing the non-voting landlord members, saying they still could attend meetings and speak during public comment periods, but they shouldn’t be at the table.
“We really are just fresh off an issue that triggered a lot of response from landlords and we saw how loud they are,” she said, referring to landlords’ opposition to the new ordinance that requires landlords to wait several extra months after a lease is signed before showing an occupied apartment to other prospective tenants for the following year.
Council shot down Nelson’s amendment in a 6-5 vote, with only Jen Eyer, Kathy Griswold, Linh Song and Taylor agreeing with Nelson that landlords shouldn’t be at the table.
Council Member Erica Briggs, D-5th Ward, said she’s not concerned about having landlords at the table.
“I’m hoping that we’re setting good precedent in that we’re encouraging — at a time of divisiveness — thoughtful discussion and deliberation and inclusivity,” she said, adding she’s willing to revisit it later if it doesn’t work out.
Nelson proposed another amendment to state that, after initial appointments are made, all future appointments to the Renters Commission should be made with recommendations from the City Council liaisons to the commission and one or more voting members of the commission. Taylor argued city commissions already are fully empowered to recruit applicants and make recommendations to council on appointments.
In a 6-5 vote against the proposal, only Griswold, Jeff Hayner, Radina and Ali Ramlawi joined Nelson in support of adding the extra layer to the appointment process.
Before the final vote to form the Renters Commission, Radina said what’s laid out so far is just the beginning.
“I hope that this is kind of the initiation of this body and that we see it continue to expand and to grow,” he said.
As a next step, the city will be seeking applicants interested in being the first members of the new commission.
MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:
‘This is the future of our community.’ Ann Arbor celebrates new affordable housing
Two-tower development on former Ann Arbor YMCA property awaits city’s OK
Debate over e-scooters on Ann Arbor sidewalks ends in 8-3 vote on new law
A sorted affair: How Michigan Stadium waste gets recycled after a home game
Tree Town under attack? Ann Arborites decry ‘tree butchering’ by DTE Energy
"correct" - Google News
September 20, 2021 at 02:00PM
https://ift.tt/3nOKQ3g
Ann Arbor aims to correct ‘troubling power imbalance’ between renters and landlords - MLive.com
"correct" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3d10rUK
https://ift.tt/35qAk7d
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Ann Arbor aims to correct ‘troubling power imbalance’ between renters and landlords - MLive.com"
Post a Comment