It’s been a tough slog for a bill designed to force landlords to remove lead from all buildings before they can charge tenants for rent.
"A law designed to strengthen the city’s safeguards against lead poisoning should soon finally get the vote backers have waited for after almost two years," reports Catalina Jaramillo.
Jaramillo details the surprisingly difficult path the law has taken to get to the finish line, encountering stiff opposition from landlords in the city. "The bill, which would require all rental units built before 1978 to be free of lead hazards, was set for a vote in June before council let out for the summer. Advocates expected a win. The bill had been in discussion for 18 months."
Landlords oppose the bill because they believe the city's efforts are already working, and the additional regulation is unnecessary. "According to city data [pdf], the number of children with blood lead levels above the city’s threshold for danger fell from 1,413 in 2006 to 369 in 2015," reports Jaramillo.
Now the vote is expected to face a vote in fall of this year, after final details on enforcement are hammered out. "The new lead bill requires landlords to certify all housing built before 1978 is free of lead hazards before obtaining or renewing the rental license required to collect rent," according to the article.
FULL STORY: City Hall is uniting around a lead poisoning law hated by landlords
Philadelphia 'Diversion Program' Prevents Evictions Through Mediation
A program that provides mediation between landlords and tenants has helped a majority of applicants avoid eviction, signaling a promising avenue for renter assistance as landlords seek to recoup COVID-era losses.
Houston Council Will Consider Stricter Apartment Inspection Process
The proposal would reform the inspection process to improve coordination between departments and institute a fine for landlords who don't make requested repairs.
More Insight Into the Effects of the Pandemic for Rental Property Landlords
A pair of recent surveys attempt to shed light on the changing business and property management practices of landlords during the pandemic.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)