Renters Commission urges city to explore municipally run rental-listing service, flags data concerns about Citywise

The Ann Arbor Renters Commission on Feb. 20 recommended that the City of Ann Arbor explore a municipally managed rental-listing platform rather than immediately partnering with a private vendor after commissioners raised concerns about data privacy, potential market consolidation and accuracy of affordability claims.

The recommendation, approved by a majority of voting commissioners, asks the city council and city administrator to study a public alternative and to ensure public oversight and accountability for any rental-listing system the city supports. The motion passed following extended discussion and a failed attempt to postpone the measure until the March meeting.

Commission Chair Rosanita (Chair, Renters Commission) led a months-long discussion after staff introduced Citywise, a private rental-listing company, at a council work session. Chair Rosanita said Citywise "presents itself as a free public service" but that a deeper review of the company’s operations and its prior product, College Pads, raised concerns about "potential privatization of public rental oversight" and data monetization. She told the commission that Citywise’s materials suggest the use of AI and data-collection features that could "reinforce housing discrimination" and bias renters toward certain listings.

Commissioners and council liaisons discussed several specific worries: the accuracy and timeliness of listings, whether the platform would mainly surface market-rate units while appearing to advertise affordability, the potential for landlords to pay for prominence, and the corporate history of College Pads and its acquisition by a larger platform. Commissioner Jordan (Commissioner) and others described prior experience with College Pads that, they said, pushed smaller landlords off local listing platforms.

Council Member Adena (Council member) told the commission that the Citywise presentation to council was preliminary and that she has urged staff to bring advisory bodies into discussions before any agreement is finalized. Council Member Regina (Council member and commission liaison) said she would notify the city administrator and city attorney of the commission’s resolution and asked staff to review the commission’s meeting record as they consider next steps.

Julia (Commissioner) moved the resolution asking the city to explore a municipal option; the motion was seconded (second not specified in the record). After discussion, a motion to postpone the resolution to March failed. The commission then voted on the resolution; commissioners present recorded six votes in favor and one abstention, and the resolution passed.

The commission suggested follow-up steps including inviting Citywise to answer questions, asking staff to report on Citywise’s data and business model, and requesting that the council refer any proposed agreement to the renters commission before final action.

What’s next: Council liaisons said they will convey the commission’s recommendation to the city administrator and city attorney. The resolution asks staff to analyze feasibility, data governance, and alternatives such as partnering with civic-technology nonprofits or building a municipally run site.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: "Recommend that the City of Ann Arbor explore a municipally managed rental-listing platform as an alternative to private listing services." Mover: Julia (Commissioner). Second: not specified. Outcome: passed. Tally: yes 6; abstain 1; no 0.