Cleveland Heights committee backs adding repair-assistance pamphlet to violation notices

The Cleveland Heights City Council Housing and Building Committee voted Monday to recommend that the council discuss an ordinance requiring a pamphlet about housing repair assistance to be mailed or handed out with written notices of violation.

The proposal, drafted by the city Law Department and discussed at the committee meeting, would add a new subsection to city code section 13-4503 requiring the building commissioner to “give or cause to be given or mailed with the written notice of violation required under subsection (a), a pamphlet containing guidance regarding financial assistance, resources, and programs available to repair, improve, or demolish the structure or premises concerned.” Chair Jim Petras read the draft language to the committee.

The measure grew from earlier meetings this year with realtors and local housing advocates that, committee members said, recommended increasing distribution of information about assistance programs. Committee members also noted the city’s Housing Preservation Office already has an informational brochure that could be used.

Councilwoman Gail Larson said providing information earlier in the enforcement process could help people find assistance before matters escalate. Councilman Anthony Maddox and Councilman Craig Kopp also backed moving the draft forward for broader council discussion; Councilman Cobb said memorializing the information in writing, rather than relying solely on oral conversations, is a positive step.

The committee voted to request that the matter be placed on a Committee of the Whole agenda for further discussion and possible council action. Chair Jim Petras moved to recommend the item to the Committee of the Whole; Councilwoman Gail Larson seconded. The roll call recorded three yes votes, and the motion was approved to advance the draft for broader consideration.

If the Committee of the Whole and then the full council choose to act, the legislation would require the building department to attach or mail the pamphlet with written notices of violation. Committee members cautioned that program eligibility varies and not every household will qualify for every assistance option; they said the pamphlet should be framed as guidance and not a guarantee of eligibility.

Next steps are for staff to include the draft with a future Committee of the Whole agenda and for committee members to consider how best to publicize the information if the council approves the change.