Laura Sturza
CIVIC CENTER -- City Council members are voicing objections to rent
control as a way to rein in Burbank's housing prices.
"I've heard horror stories about rent control," Councilwoman Stacey
Murphy said at Tuesday's council meeting. "There's always ways for
landlords to go in a back door, to say they're doing capital improvements
and get it back that way. And there's just too much of a tendency for
slumlords."
Burbank's biggest housing challenge is a lack of affordable, large
units for low-income renters, Redevelopment and Housing Manager Susan
Evans said.
Alternatives to rent control will be considered in the coming months.
One option would be the formation of a Housing Task Force made up of
community members and housing professionals. The group would review
issues pertaining to affordable housing and act as a planning arm.
A second possibility would be to expand the city's five-member
Landlord/Tenant Commission, which acts as a mediator between renters and
owners.
In addition, the city will be looking at Glendale's housing model, at
just-cause evictions, and at the prospect of setting annual limits on
rent increases.
A report on the possible formation of a task force will be brought
back to the council by April 2.
