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Renters and housing advocates urge Richmond to adopt proactive rental inspection ordinance
Summary
Two public commenters, including a housing services advocate with professional experience, urged the council to pursue a proactive rental inspection ordinance to protect tenants from hazards such as mold and unsafe conditions.
During the public comment period of Monday’s Richmond City Council meeting, renters and housing advocates urged the council to implement a proactive rental inspection ordinance.
Danielle Smith, a renter who said she lives in Northside in Council member Gibson’s district, described a childhood experience in which black mold forced her family from their home and said a proactive inspection regime could prevent similar hazards. Smith said she has seven years of experience in housing services and policy research and provided council members with written comments in advance.
“Perhaps a code inspector would have seen some of the warning signs that moisture and toxins were accumulating in the walls,” Smith said, urging council to consider permitting or inspection mechanisms that would prevent hazards from becoming irreparable.
Will (Will) Ryan, speaking as a renter and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, also voiced support for rental inspection districts and argued the city could reallocate funds away from landlords who benefit from gentrification and toward community priorities.
Both speakers said they had submitted their comments to council in advance and offered to work with staff and council as any proposal moves through the legislative process. No ordinance was before the council on Monday regarding rental inspections, and council members did not take formal action on the topic during the meeting.
