Stevenson, Garrett
Subject:FW: Updated Comments and Questions for Housing Budget Discussion 5-17-22 Please answer and to public record
From: Allison Henry < >
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 6:39 PM
To: Hampton, Tyron <[email protected]>; Rivas, Jessica <[email protected]>; Wilson, Andy <[email protected]>; Madison, Steve <[email protected]>; Stevenson, Garrett <[email protected]>
Cc: Kurtz, Cynthia <[email protected]>; Huang, William <[email protected]> Subject: Updated Comments and Questions for Housing Budget Discussion 5-17-22 Please answer and to public record May 17, 2022
Comments and Questions re Housing Department Budget
Dear Economic Development and Technology Committee;
Thank you to the city staff for preparing the budget documents, and to the Housing Department for notable achievements in 2021:
1409 tenants provided rental assistance; 37 families permanently housed; 244 inclusionary units on the way.
Thank you for a productive discussion.
You have heard good comments from the public re overall city fund distribution. And really good discussion on a transfer tax.
For 2023: Regarding an increase homelessness and eviction prevention resources—what specifically are these? TBRA Eviction Prevention Program—any more specifics?
Tenant Protection Ordinance: can we get a report/breakdown on that? How many tenants had to move? Were they always successful in getting the funds required from the landlord? Were they able to stay in Pasadena? Per the 2021 Parks, Rec, and Community Services Budget notes, over 4,000 residents were assisted by Community Services representatives for things including harassment, violation of Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, and repeated code violations. The number in the 2022 Budget states 3,449 but I do note that housing advocacy is not included in the list. But I know that Community Services reps are helping tenants with issues. What is the number related to tenants assisted for 2022?
Comments/Suggestions:
Like many in the community, I would love to see just more overall funding for the Housing Department.
I also support an increase in interim housing and affordable housing purchase or other creative tools. 1 Is there an equivalent fund/program for low-income owners of multi-family buildings? Mom and pop landlords? Fund additional legal support like tenants right to counsel. protections and getting an attorney proves very difficult.
Pasadena tenants are still ending up in court despite
Rental assistance after ARPA Funds? We know that there are more tenants in need of rental assistance. The Pasadena Housing Element states that 50% of Pasadena renter households over-pay for housing. Data from providers like Friends in Deed and Lake Ave Church who have shared that they have more rental assistance requests than they can handle. From the 2021 Parks, Rec, and Community Services budget that 27,000 food-insecure Pasadena residents received food assistance. Food insecurity also belies the need for more rental assistance, and overall affordable housing.
Enforcement mechanisms:
Housing Rights and Code Compliance Officer—a position like the minimum-wage enforcement, but for the housing rights and code compliance that are law in Pasadena. Per the 2021 Parks, Rec, and Community Services Budget notes, over 4,000 residents were assisted by Community Services representatives for things including harassment, violation of Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, and repeated code violations. The number in the 2022 Budget states 3,449 but I do note that housing advocacy is not included in the list. But I know that Community Services reps are helping tenants with issues. What is the number related to tenants assisted for 2022? Enforcement tool/revenue tool:
Create a revenue-generating Rental Registry to allow the tracking of code violations, illegal notices, rent increases and evictions, and to ensure that the inspections required every four years are performed.
Pasadena does not have a full record of, nor does it track the rental residential properties in the city. The Community Services Division works with tenants whose landlords are not compliant, and in some cases uncooperative, with health, safety, and building codes. The city lacks a key tool that can provide data and clarity around the exact number, condition, and cost of rental residences. The rental registry would generate revenue by charging landlords a fee for each unit rented. The city could prohibit the pass-through of those costs to tenants, and use the funds for additional housing support and homeless prevention like legal counsel to tenants facing eviction and a rental assistance fund. The registry can also track bad actors and assist in levying fines to landlords in violation of local and state laws around rent increases; reasons for eviction; and code violations that negatively impact safe and healthy housing. Currently, there is no way of tracking the rental housing stock in Pasadena, it's costs and conditions over time, and ways to ensure that residents are in healthy living conditions. But, Community Services spends a lot of time helping tenants with these very issues.
Thank you for considering my thoughts, and I look forward to learning more from the Committee, City Staff, and Housing Department.
Sincerely,
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