2017-02-27 Community Development and Neighborhoods Minutes

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Community Development & Neighborhoods Minutes ......................................................... ............................... February 27, 2017 B. South King Housing & Homelessness Partnership 2016 Annual Report Joy Scott, South King County Housing Planner, presented the 2016 Year End Report of the South King Housing and Homelessness Partnership. The presentation included background, members /funders, housing data, convenings, goals, collaboration and opportunities. Ms. Scott also distributed draft South King County Housing & Homelessness Goals for 2017 and offered assistance with future policy recommendations and /or data gathering. Councilmember Kruller requested additional information on regional /County efforts on addressing veteran homelessness. INFORMATION ONLY. C. Ordinance: Establishing Regulations Prohibiting Residential Rental Discrimination Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance that would prevent landlords from denying tenancy to renters based solely on the fact that their income includes government housing subsidies like Section 8 and HUD -VASH vouchers. The housing market in Tukwila and King County is increasingly competitive with rising rents and limited vacancy, and families and individuals with housing subsidies are subject to discrimination. The proposed ordinance adds a new chapter, "Fair Housing Regulations," to the Municipal Code, defines source of income to include multiple subsidy programs, gives enforcement authority to the Department of Planning and Development, and sets civil penalties for violations. Chair Hougardy noted the importance of communicating with the rental housing community on legislation such as this and referenced a comment letter received from the Washington Multi - Family Housing Association. WMFHA asked, "if the unit fails inspection and the owner does not want to make necessary repairs according to Housing Authority standards, what happens ?" Ms. Hyla stated that in jurisdictions with SOID in place, if a landlord has a legitimate business reason for not making the repair, e.g. insufficient finances, the ordinance does not apply because that is not a case of discriminating against the tenant. If a landlord purposely made the unit not pass to avoid this then it could be discriminatory and the ordinance clarifies that "refusal to allow a health and safety inspection of the property by a public housing authority shall not be considered a legitimate basis for refusing to rent due to program ineligibility." The Committee members discussed the proposal and asked clarifying questions. They expressed support for the proposed civil penalty of $1,000 for the first violation and $2,500 for the second within a two -year period. They also discussed implementation timing and the need to notify the rental housing community. Staff agreed to send a letter to the property owner and landlord community as well as post information on the City website. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO MARCH 6, 2017 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA. II. MISCELLANEOUS Adjourned 6:49 p.m. Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH