02-06-19 Health and Public Safety

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I•CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK removed from the property. Isn't that enough? Three(3) years will only yield sixty percent(60%) of the properties. Ms. Skibins interjected, Twenty percent(20%), actually, after three (3) years. Committeemember Voorde continued, Wow. So, how long will it take to inspect all 16,000 properties? Well, I suppose you wouldn't have to inspect all of them, but still. Ms. Skibins replied, No, and that is our hope. That is another reason why it is very important we get all the information out to everyone in advance and they know what it is that we are looking for. We don't have a lot of time, landlords don't have a lot of time, and we want to make it as easy as possible.We have crunched the numbers and we think it is going to work. We will also have an evaluation period we will do every few months,just to make sure we are on top of everything. I feel like on our end, we've done as much as we can to get the word out that people can report violations. Our inspectors, on a very regular basis, including the both of us, go out and speak with as many neighborhood organizations as we can on a monthly basis. The resources are available. I feel we've done as much as we can to let people know they can come to us if there are some sorts of violations inside their home. However, the feedback we continue to get is they feel retaliation from the landlord. I truly believe that is a major issue. If we were able to depend on people to have the courage and not be afraid, then yes, I don't think we would be in the situation we are in now. Honestly, I don't think that is what is happening. Committeemember Voorde followed up, I confess I've only had feedback from one (1) landlord. Their feedback wasn't as much objections to this as it was questions to this. It raises questions in my mind, as well. In general, would you say landlords are supportive of this? Ms. Skibins replied, I think everyone agrees that everyone wants a healthy and safe situation for all tenants. What I'm hearing is concern to why responsible landlords have to go through the process. That is the major feedback. What I say to that is, if they reach out to us,they pass the first (1St) inspection, they won't see Code again for five (5) years. We can't pick and choose who we inspect. We have to be fair across the board. Committeemember Voorde then asked, Is there an estimate as to how many bad properties are out there out of the 16,000? Ms. Skibins replied, We don't know and using this, we hope to find out. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, That is kind of where I want to begin. What is the data on this? You said in 2018, you had eight hundred and twenty-five (825) complaints. We know people don't complain and I believe that may be true. But,that would be like point zero five percent(.05%)of all the properties. But ok,people don't complain. What percent do we anticipate having health and safety issues? I'm wondering if there is a more effective way to get at the problem. Again, everyone agrees we need to have something.As Dr. Fox stated,there are negative effects to the community from unsafe housing. Everybody gets that.The question is if taking three (3) years to just do twenty percent (20%) will be worth it. That is a long time for people, who we know already, are in really bad situations. Because in three(3) years, what is mold going to do? Is there a way to address the problem that is more targeted without breaking the law? We've had people come before Council and say they know of three (3) large housing complexes who are EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 If574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 9