Director Markel Davis addresses unregistered homes and strengthening Airbnb enforcement

University Heights City Council is taking significant steps to address housing registration and enforcement issues during their recent meeting. Markel Davis, the director of housing and community development, highlighted the ongoing challenge of unregistered one- and two-family homes in the city. Currently, the city often learns about these properties only when neighbors raise concerns, prompting a response from the council.

Davis noted that the presence of out-of-state property owners complicates enforcement efforts, as current state legislation limits the city's ability to take action against them. However, she emphasized that the administration is actively pursuing legal action against problematic properties, with four court cases currently underway.

Council members expressed concern about the enforcement of existing Airbnb ordinances. Councilman King questioned what support the administration needs to effectively implement these regulations. Davis responded that the approval of a coordinator position's salary, pending since October, is crucial for staffing the department adequately. She stressed that without sufficient personnel and training, the city struggles to enforce registration and other aspects of the rental ordinance.

The discussions underscore the city's commitment to improving housing regulations and addressing community concerns. As the council moves forward, the focus will be on enhancing staffing and resources to ensure effective enforcement of housing policies, ultimately benefiting residents and maintaining neighborhood integrity.