|
REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2019
<br /> (1) time, the landlord had cleaned everything out because the tenants before had left a mess. So,
<br /> he cleared everything out into the backyard. The kids were actually out playing in the pile of
<br /> garbage. They had built a fort, really creative actually, out of a desk and then they stacked on top
<br /> of that a TV stand and just garbage everywhere. That is not acceptable. A lot of leaky roofs. The
<br /> ceilings are caving in. There is black mold. Property owners rent rooms and it's not zoned for that.
<br /> I was recently involved in a house to where the man called himself the Inn Keeper. He had taken
<br /> in all these people and he was charging them by the month to rent a room. There were twenty(20)
<br /> people in this house and he is using unvented heaters with the blue flame. That is not safe. I have
<br /> also been in houses with no walls. The studs are there but there are no walls. The common things
<br /> here are the lack of care that some of these landlords aren't addressing. There are a lot of good
<br /> landlords and a lot of landlords that maintain their investment in their properties. There is a lot of
<br /> renovation going on and I usually work the northwest side of town. So, there are a lot of good
<br /> things going on. These landlords that have these properties are making the ones that are investing
<br /> in their properties look bad. Thank you.
<br /> Christi Louis, 1920 Ridgedale Road, South Bend IN, stated, I apologize, I hope I won't take too
<br /> much of the Council's time. I didn't prepare a speech. All I bring here tonight is eleven (11) and a
<br /> half years of experience in property management. We've worked over those eleven(11) and a half
<br /> years to build a positive reputation in the Michiana area which speaks to all the advertising that
<br /> has come from the RSVP. We are in support of this bill because we've worked hard to make sure
<br /> our residents are taken care of. We've worked hard with Code to have a positive relationship so
<br /> that they know that even if there is an issue, we are going to work quickly to address that issue. I
<br /> think it's important for landlords to understand that if you are here and are in opposition of this
<br /> bill, it's probably not a bad thing for you. You know, the important thing is that we are going to
<br /> have an approval for occupancy.That is only going to help grow our reputation and the opportunity
<br /> for good renters inside of our properties. That helps us all win. So, thank you very much.
<br /> Jim Mckinnies, 51563 Dade Court, South Bend, IN, stated, I'm the President of the South Bend
<br /> Mishawaka Board of Realtors. I think there is a perception that our association is against this
<br /> proposal, I just want to stand here today to tell you that is not correct. We share the common goal
<br /> of safe and affordable housing for everybody. I will say, first(1St) hand, being part of the process
<br /> and working through all the issues, our issues with any of the proposal was we want it to be
<br /> effective. We've been working hand in hand and we are just looking forward to working for the
<br /> betterment of our community, together, with Code and the RSVP. We are excited about that. I
<br /> stand, not opposed, but for the proposal. We look forward to working together as an association
<br /> and a community to build safer housing for everybody. Thank you.
<br /> Anne Mannix, 724 West Washington, South Bend, IN, stated, I've spent about twenty (20) years
<br /> inspecting poor properties. We try to buy them and fix them up in various jobs and I've seen
<br /> incredible things like what the policewoman said. The problem is, if people pay rent for these, it
<br /> jacks the value of the properties up, so you end up spending a lot of money that is already in a bad
<br /> condition. So, I think this ordinance will help take the economic incentive out of being a poor
<br /> landlord. People, if they don't get any rent, their property is not worth the money. So, I think the
<br /> staff work has been excellent and I just wanted to highlight that aspect of it.
<br /> Jurek Schultz, 612 Lindsay Street, South Bend, IN, stated, Part of me can't believe I'm standing
<br /> up here right now because I really felt like I really supported this coming in here today and ever
<br /> since I heard about this. But, I've heard a lot of people talk. I've had awful landlords, landlords
<br /> I've complained to about issues of the home I'm living in and nothing was done. I've had great
<br /> landlords that I say something, and it's fixed the next day. It was amazing. But I heard a lot of
<br /> people talk and I think long-term, this sounds like there will be more accountability for the
<br /> landlords in the area and that will lead to the homes being in better condition. I think, long-term,
<br /> South Bend will have much quality of rental properties. But, I heard very little talk about what is
<br /> going to happen living in these properties in that transition. I don't think with some of the houses
<br /> I've seen, what happens to all of those families in the mean time? Do they go and live in
<br /> Mishawaka while South Bend is in this transition? Do they go to Goshen? Walkerton? I mean, I
<br /> don't know.There is a large transition where,if landlords don't own up to fixing their homes,what
<br /> happens to those families in the meantime? South Bend has several homes that are vacant and
<br /> boarded up. I went to Riley High School. I ran cross country and ran past boarded up houses all
<br /> 36
<br />
|