Hannah Rose urges Ann Arbor Planning Commission to address algorithmic rent setting issues

The Ann Arbor City Planning Commission meeting on April 1, 2025, spotlighted pressing concerns about affordable housing and the impact of algorithmic rent-setting software. Hannah Rose, a resident of the graduate cooperative at 615 Oswego Street, urged the commission to consider the implications of tools like RealPage, which some landlords use to set rents. She highlighted that four cities across the nation have already banned such software to promote affordable housing options.

Rose emphasized the need for the city to take action to prevent the use of these algorithms, suggesting that without intervention, the city risks exacerbating its housing challenges. Her comments came amid discussions about the importance of rapidly building high-density housing to meet the community's needs.

Another resident, Shannon Lau, shared her experience of commuting from Pittsfield Township to downtown Ann Arbor, emphasizing the difficulties faced by those without cars. Lau's remarks underscored the broader context of transportation and accessibility issues in relation to housing development.

The discussions at the meeting reflect a growing urgency among residents and city officials to address the intertwined issues of housing affordability and transportation, as the city continues to navigate its development plans. The commission's response to these concerns could shape the future of housing policy in Ann Arbor.