02-06-19 Health and Public Safety

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I)CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK Councilmember Williams-Preston stated, One (1) of the things I like about this is we are offering assistance and help, too. So, the grants and referrals for the federal dollars are great. And this is where I feel like it might be a marketing issue, I don't know, and I've said this before, I'm in the business of behavior modification as a teacher of students and teachers with emotional disabilities, but anyway, that's another thing. But all of the research of behavior modification actually focuses on the change of behavior which is what I think we are really here about, right? We want people who are renting out sub-standard properties, we want that to change. Behavior really changes, not with severe penalties or high fines, but with the likelihood that you will be caught, quite frankly. That is basic research. What I'm concerned about are these super high fines and you want to fine them to death and then they are going to do it. The research does support that. Also, the broad brush we paint ends up taking those smaller landlords and putting them in situations where they might end up being pushed out of the market.That is the whole thing about smaller landlords being able to adjust for people who have the lowest income and are of highest need. That market is really important in our community with fifty-four percent (54%) of people living paycheck to paycheck. So, is there a way we can do more of making sure people understand? Even with the complaint- based stuff, as we are educating tenants about their rights to complain, what can they bring to the table? I don't know how many really need these resources and I don't know how much money there is to really assist and help,maybe you could share that,but do you feel there is a significant amount of assistance that will even matter so we won't run through that and be like,sorry,we can't help you anymore? You know what I'm saying? Those are a lot of questions. But I would like to see us, somehow, and I mentioned at the last meeting about working with the media,turn this into something positive. Right now, it is just so much about the bad landlords and bad properties. The vast number of landlords are not bad. How can we focus more on the resources to help? Any thoughts on that? Ms. Skibins replied, We definitely feel the way it's promoted is important. We are going to do our very best to promote it. We are very well aware that there are so many responsible landlords out there and those are not, at all, the people we want to penalize. We are hoping by the postcard, first (1st)letter and second(2nd)letter,all of which are worded very nicely by the way,along with social media and the media outlets, we will get that information out along with the resources for both tenants and landlords. Councilmember Williams-Preston stated, Great, and so that is where my other question from before would come in. I also don't want to tie all those inspectors up walking through properties that are already great. So, I still want to figure out how to make sure we are really using our time and money effectively by targeting areas we already know there are big problems. Ms. Johns replied, I'm hoping by sending the word out there will be phone calls. I'm hoping they will call us and keep us busy. Councilmember Williams-Preston stated, Good, and I'm looking forward to organizing with people, too, and helping. Again, I'm always talking about reaching to the community and the neighborhood associations and things to help identify those. Ms. Skibins stated, That is a key element. EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227W Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574 235 9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 13