Ventura—The City Council took a moment to discuss its rental registry during its meeting on Monday, May 27, as the registry item was continued and not approved.
The Staff was directed to return with information for HRC Legal Services and expansion as a priority, followed by anti-harassment, displacement, and evictions, which are not top priorities, and property-owner resources.
The debate was extensive on both sides of the issue, as members weighed the potential cost to tenants and City revenue versus the value of data.
Councilman Rynn Schumacher emphasized the value of tenant-landlord education and rights under State law.
Schumacher said that’s not what they’re talking about.
“Rental registration should include a per-unit fee to generate revenue to pay for tenant protection programs, homeless, and critical utility programs,” he said. “We’re talking about implementing a fee for the rental revenue to pay for other programs. Housing is the solution, not the problem, and making housing more expensive doesn’t make it more affordable.”
Deputy Mayor Doug Halter said a lot of the database (business license system) can be created within the existing system.
“I’d be very reluctant to add more cost to the housing process and renting housing, and I believe…
