Title
Resolution to Create the Ann Arbor Renters Commission
Body
Whereas, City Council has identified housing stability, affordability, and accessibility for all members of the Ann Arbor community as a key priority;
Whereas, A majority of residents of Ann Arbor are renters, with 53.3% of housing units being rentals according to 2019 American Community Survey estimates;
Whereas, 52.6% of rental households in Ann Arbor are paying 30% or more of their gross income in rent according to 2019 American Community Survey estimates;
Whereas, According to the most recent (2015) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis, the rental market for Ann Arbor is "tight" with "demand expected to slightly increase each year because of continued job growth and in-migration;"
Whereas, According to the 2020 Housing Needs Assessment report for downtown Ann Arbor published by Bowen National Research, renters represented 76.7% of downtown households and are expected to increase over 4% in the downtown area between 2020 and 2025 and almost 2% in other areas of the City;
Whereas, City Council wishes to create a commission where stakeholders can discuss issues relating to renters and advise City Council regarding policies, practices, trends, and legislation; and
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is committed to developing, implementing, and advancing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council hereby creates the Ann Arbor Renters Commission:
Membership
a. The commission shall have 11 voting members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council and appointed to two-year terms, which shall be staggered so that approximately one half of the terms expire each year.
b. The voting membership of the commission should be representative of various renter perspectives in the City, such as student, youth, low-income, LGBTQ, immigrant, persons with criminal records, persons receiving rental ...
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