Affordable‑housing committee presents draft minimum‑housing ordinance to Swain commissioners

A member of the Swain County Affordable Housing Committee presented a draft minimum‑housing ordinance that would regulate rental dwellings to ensure habitability and protect renters from unsafe conditions.

The presenter (who identified herself as an Affordable Housing Committee member) told commissioners the draft is intended to allow the county to use Chapter 160D authority—specifically citing unsafe‑buildings and condemnation provisions such as 160D‑1119 and related article language—to require basic standards for rental units. Key elements described in the draft included requirements for functioning heating, windows and doors that lock, safe flooring and short repair timelines (for example, three days to address a failed water heater). The draft would apply only to properties offered as rental dwellings, not to owner‑occupied homes.

The committee member said the ordinance would also establish a Swain County Minimum Housing Board to hear appeals when a public officer determined a property was unsafe and the owner did not correct the condition. She said the committee attempted to keep the draft concise and noted that the county attorney has reviewed the language for compliance with state statutes.

Commissioners discussed timing and agreed to include the ordinance on a future work session for fuller review or set a public hearing; several commissioners emphasized they did not want to unduly burden small landlords but wanted minimum safety standards for tenants. The board took no final vote on the ordinance at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will place the ordinance on the next work session agenda for more in‑depth review and to determine whether to schedule a public hearing.