Title
Update on the Quality Housing Program
Body
Issue/Request:
This is a status update on the Quality Housing Pilot Program.
Background:
Beginning in 2017, staff met with the CEDC several times discussing the merits and challenges of a mandatory rental inspection program. At the last meeting with CEDC staff proposed a voluntary program that would apply to all housing in the City. The Quality Housing Program’s (QHP) intent is to improve the safety and maintenance of all housing in Lee’s Summit. The QHP focuses on services to encourage compliance with minimum standards established in the Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 16) and the Fire Code (Chapter 13). It is an extension of services offered by the Neighborhood Services (NHS) group. NHS operates under a complaint, investigate, abate style approach. QHP compliments NHS through outward education of City ordinances to neighborhoods, providing connections to existing resources, and to establish a certification program. The certification program encourages compliance to improve the safety of housing. Details for the pilot program for Quality Housing are attached. Topics covered include external education and outreach, certification and voluntary inspections, performance metrics and budget implications.
A Pilot Program began in January of 2020. Informational material was prepared and initial inspections occurred. In March of 2020 the current COVID-19 Pandemic put a pause on the program.
Presenter
Dan Harper, Assistant Director of Field Services