Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Citizen assembly 'Unified Akron' delivers nine housing recommendations; council pledges to review and pursue early steps
Summary
A 65‑member citizen assembly presented nine ratified recommendations to the Housing & Neighborhood Assistance Committee, including a public code‑violations database, zoning changes to allow tiny homes and supportive housing, small repair loans for homeowners and down‑payment assistance. Staff said work on down‑payment assistance could move forward in July.
A citizen assembly convened as "Unified Akron" presented nine ratified recommendations on housing to the Housing & Neighborhood Assistance Committee, urging a mix of policy changes and programs to increase housing stock, stabilize existing homeowners and improve transparency in rentals.
Kevin Smith (known as Smitty), one of 65 delegates, summarized the assembly’s process: delegates were chosen by lottery from hundreds of applicants, deliberated 12 issues over several months and ratified nine recommendations by supermajority. Smith cited city housing figures presented in the discussion to frame urgency: the assembly reported about 4,000 evictions last year and noted that roughly 56% of city residents are renters.
Recommendation highlights given to council included:
- A public code‑violations database that would allow prospective renters to look up a property’s enforcement history; delegates recommended a correction process and regular data reviews to minimize unfair, lingering records. (Delegate Keith presented this item.)
- Zoning reforms to increase housing supply, including enabling tiny homes and tiny‑home communities, duplexes and small multiunit housing. Delegate Annaise Russell said such approaches can expand low‑cost supply and be tailored to different needs, including permanent supportive housing.
- Small repair loans to help long‑time homeowners, especially seniors, make necessary repairs and avoid forced sales or foreclosure (advocated by delegate Ted Forsber).
Multiple delegates and councilmembers emphasized community building and inclusive deliberation. Delegate Jina Chapman said the assembly’s proposals build on years of neighborhood advocacy and asked council and staff to adopt sustained engagement and accountability as the city implements recommendations. The assembly provided a preliminary report with full recommendation text, tradeoffs and implementation guidance to councilmembers in the meeting.
City staff and councilmembers praised the assembly’s process and pledged to review the report. Planning Director Kyle Julian said staff have already begun reviewing recommendations and identified early commitments; he cited an intent to roll out a down‑payment assistance program in July and said zoning work to enable diverse housing types will be a near‑term priority.
Next steps: staff will review the assembly’s full report, begin targeted implementation planning for recommended items (starting with down‑payment assistance), and work with council on zoning changes and funding strategies for other recommendations.
