The proposal would reform the inspection process to improve coordination between departments and institute a fine for landlords who don't make requested repairs.
Houston City Councilmember Letitia Plummer "is workshopping an inspection reform proposal to target dangerous or below-standard apartment conditions" after witnessing "deplorable conditions" in Houston rental properties, writes Jen Rice.
"Under Plummer’s proposal, all multi-family property owners who don’t make repairs requested by tenants and the city will be charged a $250 annual fee until all issues are resolved," with the proceeds funding the hiring of more inspectors. "The proposal stems from two amendments to the city's 2022 budget Plummer tried to pass in June," which were referred to a council committee "for further discussion" by the city's mayor in June. Of Houston's 427,000 occupied rental units, 32 percent are classified as Class C–"older properties in fair or worse shape, in need of maintenance"–while 10 percent of those units, inhabited by over 100,000 people, are classified as Class D, having the oldest and worst conditions.
With apartment inspections currently spread out over four city departments–"the health department, fire department, police department, and public works department"–the "reform proposed by Plummer would aim to improve coordination between departments by developing new risk-assessment profiles for multifamily properties, increasing the number of inspections and creating a method of sharing data across agencies."
FULL STORY: Landlords could be held more accountable under a newly proposed Houston apartment inspection process
How New California Housing Laws Will Impact Renters
Laws going into effect this year will affect regulations around security deposits, credit checks, and even e-scooters.
Opinion: Why Passing ‘Good Cause’ Eviction Matters
A proposed bill would require landlords who don’t renew leases to provide a reason, helping prevent capricious retaliation against tenants while still holding tenants who don’t obey the terms of their lease responsible.
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service