HomeMy WebLinkAboutA018 - Second Email from Joel Hochstein dated May 21, 2018 Page 1 of 2
Rental Housing Cap Concerns
Joel Hochstein
to:
AmesCityCouncil
05/21/2018 12:44 PM
Cc:
"Joel Hochstein"
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From: "Joel Hochstein" <hochsteinjw@gmail.com>
To: AmesCityCouncil@city.ames.ia.us
Cc: "Joel Hochstein" <hochsteinjw@gmail.com>
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americasrentalhousing-2011 -highlights.pdf harvard jchs americas rental housing 2017 - highlights.pdf
Council Members and Mayor Haila-
Recently, I read through a few reports (attached with my highlighted take-a-ways) about
rental housing and wanted to share them and my personal perspective with you all prior
to your meeting tomorrow regarding the on-going residential rental cap conversation.
Overall - when municipalities impact rental housing - the affect disproportionately
impacts low-income folks, single folks, minority populations (communities of color), and
increasingly single folks with families according to the reports and national data.
Although this may not reflect perfectly the Ames market, it is a good representation of
the folks who could be impacted by decisions around renal housing. I think its important
for that to be acknowledged and discussed in the process. The cap's purpose is to limit
rental housing in particular areas for "neighborhood stability and quality of life". As a
byproduct, when we limit rental housing we could impact the ability for certain folks to
live in our community and this can affect certain people (groups) more than others (race,
income level, family type, age, student status, disability, etc). When we don't name these
or engage in conversation, we ignore the potential impact to those folks and/or don't
acknowledge the broader impact that actions have on under-represented people. Even if
the outcome is the same, its important for this type of discussion to be on the table and
for folks to be aware of to make the most informed decision possible.
There could also be tandem items done to help limit effects - reviewing building
standards, review zoning regulations, initiating inclusionary zoning in new developments,
adding source of income protections (ie adding them to Chapter 14 of the code as a
discriminatory act), providing tax incentives for rental units in need of repair as an
incentive for upkeep/renovation. These types of recommendations could impact, in a
positive way, the ability for folks who are currently or who are seeking to rent in our
community.
file:///C:/Users/diane.voss/AppData/Local/Temp/notesFFF692/—web9812.htm 5/21/2018
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I am also concerned that a cap doesn't impact the issues that folks are reporting (nuisance,
upkeep, etc.). Some may suggest that many of these issues could be addressed in more
proactive ways by PD and inspections folks, I don't want to make the suggestion that PD
should be more involved - I'm not sure that is helpful in certain situations or with certain
groups/populations in the community. What the hard issue that I see here is that of
community development - the hard work it takes to have folks respect the people and
property in our community. That takes a lot more time, energy, effort, (and maybe
money) and is much harder to do -- but may impact the issues folks are reporting in a
more healthy way and in a way that has minimal or differing impact on under-represented
people.
Best to you all as you continue to navigate this decision and the direction of rental
housing in our community.
-Joel Hochstein
1501 Illinois Ave
Ames IA, 50014
file:///C:/Users/diane.voss/AppData/Local/Temp/notesFFF692/—web9812.htm 5/21/2018
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