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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2002)
Council hopefuls eye housing plan ■ City council candidates hope Eugene can follow Corvallis’ lead to implement housing standards By Brad Schmidt Oregon Daily Emerald While city councilor candidates and ASUO members continue to call for city-regulated rental hous ing standards, Corvallis already has a housing code proposal that could be implemented as early as July 1, a lead many local citizens hope Eu gene will follow. Eugene does not have a city-regu lated housing code, and ASUO Community Outreach Coordinator Megan Hughes said a plan similar to the housing code in Corvallis would be a much-needed solution. With the primary election Tues day, both candidates vying to rep resent University students on the city council said a housing code would improve living conditions in the campus area and through out the city. The Corvallis housing code would affect all rentals within the city limit, an estimated 11,500 units. For each unit, landlords would pay $8 annually to support the city’s housing code program. The estimated $92,000 would be used to create and enforce housing standards in the areas of plumbing, heating and structural soundness. The code would also require local units to adequately withstand weather conditions. The code would financially pe nalize landlords who refuse to pay annual fees or comply with the new standards. The fines would range from one-time $100 citations to dai ly assessments of more than $250. Those who fail to pay fines can expect to have a lien placed against their property. “At this point in time, I’m sure it’s going to happen,” said Bob Loewen, housing programs specialist for the Corvallis Community Development Department — Housing Division. r~.. " . . ■ " Corvallis city councilors will | vote on the proposal June 3. With a unanimous vote, it will go into ef- 1 feet July 1. Without unanimous ap proval, the proposal will be resub mitted two weeks later, when only a majority vote-will be necessary for its passage, Loewen said. Investigation into Corvallis hous ing began in 1997, when the Asso ciated Students of Oregon State University presented a proposal to city councilors suggesting the im plementation of a housing code. In response, the city requested the housing division gather data. After more than two years of investiga tion, a proposal was submitted ear lier this year. The proposal is very similar to state laws already in place. With the exception of a proposed stan dard that would require heating to reach at least 68 degrees three feet above the floor, there is little differ ence, Loewen said. “The real change is that there is local enforcement,” Loewen said. If implemented, Loewen said the proposal will meet tenant wishes for quick resolutions to conflicts. Currently, options for tenants are limited. If housing standards are not maintained, tenants can ask a land lord to make improvements, do the work themselves and ask for reim bursement, or sue a landlord. “There’s no one at the state you can go to,” Loewen said. Loewen said he thinks most landlords will comply with the proposal and added that Oregon State University students should benefit from the changes. But Loewen said most landlords will increase rent-related fees, ultimate ly meaning that tenants will fund the program. Current Eugene Ward 3 City Councilor David Kelly said he hopes Eugene will take steps to adopt a similar city housing plan. The Corvallis plan, he said, Turn to Housing, page 8 014062 YouVe hi! (he book/, flow hi! (he rood. • Live BMX demonstrations at certain campuses • High Tech Video Games • Drive the Extreme Road Course • Rock Climbing Wall Challenge • NHL Slapshot • Visit the Lipton Iced Tea and Reebok Booths Test drive select Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler vehicles* and enter for a chance to win a two-year lease and other great prizes from Infinity Sound Systems, The Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival and Tower Records** Education lawn may 20th - 21/1 10am - 4 pm Visit the BACCUS/University tent to learn more about campus issues like drinking and driving, road safety, and health & fitness. Spon/ored by Unixer/ity of Oregon Greek life Office • To drive, you must be 18 years of age or older with a valid driver's license. Driver s license must be presented at check-tn. * * approximate retail value: $15,000. Courtesy of Chrysler Financial Company ILC. Jeep Is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Inc. May 21 Tues. 6:00 pm EMU Int'l Student Lounge Activist Panel: Social Justice Matters Featuring: Professor of Sociology Chuck Hunt Bahati A.nsari of Racism Free Zone Bettie Sing Luke of Pan-Asian Community Alliance Huy Ong, organizer of OSCC Jose Luis Alonso, Centro Latino May 22 Wed. 7:00 pm EMU Gumwood Int'l performance artist Guillermo Gomez-Pena performing a diorama, dramatizing the dehumanizing impacts of globalization in a thought-provoking and hilarious way. Author of five books and the subject of numerous documentary films...this live performance will make you think and laugh. May 23 Thurs. 7:00 pm EMU Gumwood Honoring Dr. Coleman Dessert/Finger Food and Music Reception Featuring: Ed Coleman's Trio and violinist Mzuri Robertson. Enjoy an evening of celebration of the steps taken to achieve diversity in our community. Professor Emeritus Edwin Coleman was one of the first faculty of color at the U of O. A professional jazz musician as well as literary scholar, he , has published "Black Rage, Black Identity," " Thems that Got: The Art of Billie Holiday;" and "Black Literature for Teachers," The Multicultural Center is now hiring for staff positions. Please come to the MCC for applications. Supported by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Ethnic Studies Dept., Multicultural Center Board of Directors, Ass t Dean of Diversity Mark Tracy, English Dept., Int'l Programs, Center for Diversity and Community, Office of Student Life, the Survival Center, ASUO Senate, President’s Student Life Fund, CSWS, Director of Student Activities Office, MECha. 2002 It's here Now! UO Summer Session Registration. Book Your Summer in Oregon Summer session starts June 24. Pick up your free summer catalog today in the Summer Session office, 333 Oregon Hall, or at the UO Bookstore. You can speed your way toward graduation by taking required courses during summer. University of Oregon Summer Session http://uosummer.uoregon.edu/ FIND THINGS IN ODE CLASSIFIEDS (BICYCLES, PETS, CARS, JOBS, ROOMMATES, APARTMENTS, CONCERT TICKETS, PLANE TICKETS, STUFF YOU LOST, TYPING SERVICES, ON-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES)'
