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Council directs online public housing-complaint tool and adds staff for Fair Rent Commission
Summary
The council approved two nonfinancial resolutions directing MHIS and Development Services to create a public online housing-complaint tracker and requiring four additional Department of Development Services staff to support the Fair Rent Commission; backers said the measures will boost transparency and tenant protections.
The Hartford City Council voted unanimously to direct the city’s tech team and the Department of Development Services to develop a publicly accessible online tool that would show housing code complaints and the city’s response performance, and also approved a separate resolution requiring DDS to hire at least four additional staff to administer and support the Fair Rent Commission.
Councilman Mitchell explained the transparency resolution grew out of a desire to know where complaints originate and how quickly they are resolved; he said DDS previously told the council it lacked capacity and MHIS said it could build the tool if asked.
"We're asking them to do that so that we can all understand the contours of housing complaints and conditions complaints and know how well the city is doing in responding to them," Councilman Mitchell said.
Councilman Gayle called the online tool an accountability measure that would help tenants vet buildings before renting and hold problem landlords to account. On staffing, Mitchell said DDS staff shortages meant the Fair Rent Commission handled far fewer cases than demand warranted and that reallocating funds toward staffing could help guarantee affordable, safe rental housing for hundreds of residents each year.
Both resolutions passed by unanimous roll call. Neither resolution itself appropriates funds; hiring for DDS or technical work by MHIS will require department budgeting or future funding allocations.
What’s next: MHIS and DDS will need to scope the tool and report back on implementation and costs; DDS will also need to proceed with hiring or request budget authority.
Quote: "I think it's important for tenants who are looking to rent in a building," Councilman Gayle said of the proposed online complaint system.
Outcome: council directed staff to develop the public tool and to expand Fair Rent Commission staffing.
