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