IX. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Mayor and Aldermen regarding items that may or may not appear on the Agenda. Please note speakers should first give their name and address. You are reminded that these proceedings are broadcast on live TV and you should speak clearly. All comments are limited to a total of five minutes per individual. Comments can also be provided through the e-comments feature on the City website prior to the meeting.
My name is Jazmin Di Cola and I'm in favor of the Residential Rental Licensure & Affordable Housing Conservation Program. It will provide tenants rights and protections that already exist, however, many tenants feel not protected and aren't educated. This ordinance will help to enforce humane living conditions for everyone. Many immigrant families face illegal threats from landlords and bad living conditions in rental properties. How will those landlords who aren't in the market and have tenants under the table be tracked? There is more to work on this ordinance but it's a great start. Many children and families lived in poor conditions in homes that have no contracts, therefore there is no accountability. It's time for rental licensing!
Approval of an ordinance for Residential Rental Licensure and Affordable Housing Conservation Program
My name is Elizabeth Chung, as the Executive Director of the Asian American Center of Frederick, my comments regarding the proposed legislation are probably very predictable.
• Many recent immigrants, and low income folks generally, experience intimidation or feel fear of eviction if they file a complaint so proactive and regular inspections would help protect them
• All people deserve adequate and safe housing. And our administration should play a greater role to protect our poor/low income residents, especially in affordable housing, who are most vulnerable to abuse
While various laws exist at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels which are designated to protect tenants from harm resulting from landlord abuse(s) in leased residential properties, these laws are very often ineffective. At particular risk of harm from landlord abuse are members of the immigration community in Frederick County, whom I directly represent.
Enforcement of existing laws do not generally protect the rights of tenants, and are particularly onerous in their application to the immigrant community. I therefore support passage of the bill.
Proactive inspections: Almost all landlords to get licenses BEFORE renting out units, which would involve an inspection to ensure health/safety condition of unit
• Regular random inspections: Ever year about 20% of units would get randomly inspected
• Tenants protections from retribution
• This bill is not perfect, and doesn’t go far enough in enforcing tenant’s protections, but we should advocate for those to be added. And most importantly, we should continue to advocate for the core right of ALL to have access to safe and healthy, and affordable housing.
My name is Jazmin Di Cola and I'm in favor of the Residential Rental Licensure & Affordable Housing Conservation Program. It will provide tenants rights and protections that already exist, however, many tenants feel not protected and aren't educated. This ordinance will help to enforce humane living conditions for everyone. Many immigrant families face illegal threats from landlords and bad living conditions in rental properties. How will those landlords who aren't in the market and have tenants under the table be tracked? There is more to work on this ordinance but it's a great start. Many children and families lived in poor conditions in homes that have no contracts, therefore there is no accountability. It's time for rental licensing!
Approval of an ordinance for Residential Rental Licensure and Affordable Housing Conservation Program
My name is Elizabeth Chung, as the Executive Director of the Asian American Center of Frederick, my comments regarding the proposed legislation are probably very predictable.
• Many recent immigrants, and low income folks generally, experience intimidation or feel fear of eviction if they file a complaint so proactive and regular inspections would help protect them
• All people deserve adequate and safe housing. And our administration should play a greater role to protect our poor/low income residents, especially in affordable housing, who are most vulnerable to abuse
While various laws exist at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels which are designated to protect tenants from harm resulting from landlord abuse(s) in leased residential properties, these laws are very often ineffective. At particular risk of harm from landlord abuse are members of the immigration community in Frederick County, whom I directly represent.
Enforcement of existing laws do not generally protect the rights of tenants, and are particularly onerous in their application to the immigrant community. I therefore support passage of the bill.
Proactive inspections: Almost all landlords to get licenses BEFORE renting out units, which would involve an inspection to ensure health/safety condition of unit
• Regular random inspections: Ever year about 20% of units would get randomly inspected
• Tenants protections from retribution
• This bill is not perfect, and doesn’t go far enough in enforcing tenant’s protections, but we should advocate for those to be added. And most importantly, we should continue to advocate for the core right of ALL to have access to safe and healthy, and affordable housing.