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A responsible plan to protect the city's housing stock
Published on Sunday, May 31, 2009
In Barberton, the vulnerability is widespread. About one-third of the city's housing stock is rental, some 3,000 units. After much discussion, the City Council is set for a final vote June 8 on a measure that would require a $40 per unit, per year registration fee. Genet would earmark the funds for neighborhood improvements, including the acquisition and demolition of dilapidated structures. Landlords have been part of the discussion from the beginning, but they are not happy.
Genet is well aware the $40 fee is higher than Akron's $15. The Akron ordinance gradually lowers the per-unit cost for those who own multiple units, an idea Genet initially embraced. But the Barberton council thought otherwise, objecting to giving large landlords a break over those owning just a few units. As it is, Barberton would provide a substantial reward for responsible behavior. After three years with no violations, the fee would drop to $20 per unit.
The plan hardly amounts to a crushing burden, or, as some landlords charge, evidence of greedy city leaders looking to boost revenues. At the top rate of $40 per unit, and assuming 100 percent participation, $120,000 a year would be generated. Genet realistically expects about $100,000 for neighborhood revitalization projects, far from a windfall and a figure that would presumably drop after three years, if landlords maintain their rental properties.
Taking steps to stabilize neighborhoods in the current economic climate is a necessary move for the city. In the end, all property owners will benefit, with landlords better able to market their units, and potentially increase their profits.
Get the full article here.
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