Tonight is our public hearing before City Council. While there may be additional steps ahead, this evening we will learn how NEWR will appear on the ballot. Follow along! #Boulder
Clarifying question from Adam Swetlik--do "dwelling units" include ADU's and efficiency apartments? Answer: yes.
City Attorney Tom Carr states that as a tax, BHP and other affordable housing non-profits may not be subject to the tax. Mary Young asks for clarity for affordable housing providers. We wish for clarity as well.
Our position has always been that all landlords in Boulder be subject to the funding mechanism that supports NEWR.
For the record, we support the $2 million limit.
Tom Carr is unable to offer an official opinion about whether BHP would be subject to the fee or the tax. This impacts the amount that NEWR is able to raise. Tom Carr suggests there may not be capacity in his office to figure out the answer.
Junie Joseph asks: are we still not sure whether it will be a tax or a fee? Are we usurping their authority?
We are supportive of a tax funding mechanism, which is easier to defend in court. However, the questions of tax exemption are news to us.
We are supportive of a tax funding mechanism, which is easier to defend in court. However, the questions of tax exemption are news to us.
32 folks have signed up to speak. "Council seems disposed to support this," from Sam Weaver.
Tom Carr updates us: BHP as a housing authority may be exempt from either a tax or a fee.
First up from public comment: Nick. He speaks to the diverse group of citizens behind NEWR and the research behind our measure. He outlines how motivated citizens can petition their government and why that's a protected process that should be upheld.
Sarah Dawn up next: "it's remarkable to me that a group of really smart folks have volunteered for more than a year...their social media continues to educate and inform the broader community. NEWR knows their stuff!"
Sarah Dawn, thank you for supporting our recommendations!
Mark Gelband: "I hope that the entire Council will stay true to that, and I'm interested to hear what the leaders of NEWR have to say."
Mark continues--they risked their lives. It was clear to them what their criteria were, and it's still disappointing that @BoulderBedrooms isn't receiving the same treatment.
Andrew sharing next: he has been thoroughly impressed by the level of thought put into our campaign and measure. "Now more than ever, with an economy in freefall...in the midst of an eviction crisis, the time is right for NEWR to be implemented." He firmly supports NEWR leaders.
Jacquie: questions Tom Carr directly - "given that Housing Authorities appear to be legally exempt from taxes and fees, is BHP currently paying the rental license fee?"
Amanda: another NEWR volunteer, speaking to the power imbalance between landlords and tenants in eviction court. 2% of tenants show to court with an attorney vs. 88% of landlords. Eviction rates in BoCo have increased, eviction protections have been listed--#weneedNEWR
She continues--we support adding rental assistance. "We are excited about this addition, and we believe it will make NEWR even more beneficial to tenants in Boulder."
Cam--recent CU Law grad, reiterating the value of attorneys for folks facing eviction. Shares about his experience attending court, and how it feels for non-lawyers: "I would have been hopeless had I faced eviction"
He continues: "The average person going through their life has no reason to know what [arguments]" can be made in court. #weneedNEWR
Lynn--"I support this reluctantly because $75 is a cheap check and it needs to be much higher" (wow!)
Next up is our campaign chair, Ruy: "I am surprised like a lot of other people, because their was no mention at all of an exemption for BHP in any communications we've had from the City about this."
"It has never been our intent to exempt BHP because they evict people." If State law exempts them, we will still proceed with the tax avenue, which is more defensible in court.
"We didn't get back to the City until 5pm because we're working people. I work in a goddamn restaurant."
Aaron has a question for Ruy: he thanks Ruy for his collaboration. Asks for clarity: do we support the 5pm amended version from David Gehr? Ruy's answer: yes. He would really love some input from Tom Carr about the exemption status for BHP and other affordable housing providers.
"With no small amount of hesitation," we will go forward with NEWR as a tax.
Tom Carr: "I've looked at it once." There hasn't been time for an analysis. They do not pay the current licensing fee assessed by the City of Boulder.
Yes Bob, we prefer No Eviction Without Representation.
Rachel Friend: Can Ruy be promoted to a panelist? (Please yes). Also concerned by the last minute "curveball". Asks whether BHP can voluntarily pay the fee/tax.
Asks whether the cost can legally be passed onto tenants. Tom Carr's answer: current affordable housing rents are tied to the AMI, so they are limited in what they can charge.
Looks like Ruy may be "promoted" to a panelist later on.
Sam explains that Bob Yates has been on the BHP board (along with others) and they can dig more deeply into this question later.
Now Shelly speaks: "I've witnessed a disabled mom and her teenaged son thrown out...both still remain homeless today"
"For a renter already in crisis, this becomes insurmountable."
Now Charlotte Pitts, chair of the HAB: "It's hard to stay at home when you don't have a home...everyone loses when it comes to eviction."
Will- "the goals of NEWR are eminently just"
Laura: "Cooperate with NEWR organizers...please do not make any changes that NEWR leaders do not approve."
Eric Budd of @BoulderBedrooms: NEWR is a fee at the service of tenants that helps the most vulnerable in our community. "Anything we can do to prevent one eviction is a benefit to our City."
Ted next: "The organizers have prepared the measure very well...I hope you vote to add those provisions...I would like to speak against any further measures...this is not a question of good landlords or bad landlords."
Jake is up next: he's a renter.
"I'm one of the lucky ones" - he has observed eviction court and seen tenants "fumble their way" through court proceedings. "Council you have a golden opportunity ahead of you tonight."
"Council should vote to put the amended version on the ballot." Trust the organizers who have put in hundreds and hundreds of hours. He quotes from @just_shelter and the value of a stronger more robust NEWR.
Claudia: She supports NEWR!
Claudia speaks to the longterm impacts of eviction and draws parallels to the criminal justice system.
She draws attention to #evictioncourtFriday, and our research on real eviction outcomes in #Boulder.
Claudia on the change to our funding mechanism: "Property owners using lawyers to keep renters in their place" is a common theme in Boulder.
Felicia: "As a renter, I am at the mercy of my landlord." She declares that she spends nearly half of her income on her rent.
"the right to stay housed ought not to depend on luck."
Mike - "Couple little points" - he thinks NEWR is inflammatory by linking eviction to homelessness.
um.
He calls it "prejudicial" and "misleading" as if getting evicted to your housing doesn't lead...to...loss of....housing?
Now Bruce - "Alliance of Balance Rental Regulations"
huh!
"I don't believe their having an attorney would have made a difference." NEWR is a "solution in search of a problem".....check your data?
He's basically saying he supports rental support?
Thanks for your support, Bruce!
Now Liz speaks: she is speaking on behalf of Boulder SURJ, one of our endorsers. They support rental assistance and legal counsel. "We urge you support this practical and empathetic measure."
Chelsea from @BoulderBedrooms: sharing her support for NEWR! "it was worth risking our own health and our own lives" to get both NEWR and @BoulderBedrooms on the ballot. She has been faced with eviction before. "We needed NEWR then and we need NEWR now."
"We should at least be able to rely on legal counsel."
She speaks to Council's need to hear from renters and the working class!
Vadim: "evictions are traumatic...and horrible for society as well."
Ryan: "now more than ever people deserve a real fighting chance in housing"
Misha has a question: what would do you right now if you lost your home? Police storm into your home and throw your belongings onto the sidewalk. Do you have somewhere to go? Could you children get an education? Eviction ruins lives.
Do everything in your power to pass the strongest possible version of NEWR. And this program needs to be universal, not means-tested.
Meagan: Misha pretty well summed up how we feel about NEWR and evictions. We designed this after consultation with similar groups around the country. We're open to amendments that will make NEWR stronger and more defensible. Troubled by the new info that's come to light.
Todd Ulrich of BARHA next: "We do not like evictions either."
Todd accuses NEWR of lacking checks and balances. NEWR is u n i v e r s a l by design
Mark Grueskin - notes that he is repping Boulder in an "unrelated election issue"
He wants Boulder voters to make "thoughtful decisions" about NEWR. He is worried about our title? Also "loss of housing" and "vulnerable to eviction". "These terms might have political appeal"
Austin up next: "let's go." he says
"I've watched most of my friends and neighbors be forced to leave this deeply diseased city."
"I intimately know that eviction is violence."
Krista: no singing?!?
"I watched senior citizens and other COVID-vulnerable people sign to see NEWR on the ballot."
Dylan is up last - he mentions that Jacquie's comment was cut after 30s
NEWR is a "no brainer" we haven't heard a single dissent from a renter!
NEWR has "never been more relevant" - thank you Dylan for a beautiful closing! "This may be the most powerful model in the country...evictions really do ruin lives."
Last: THIS DEBACLE WITH BEDROOMS ARE FOR PEOPLE IS A DISGRACE @BoulderBedrooms
Jacquie got to come back on!
Jacquie - taking extra time to express solidarity with @BoulderBedrooms. "I would like to urge CC to support BAFP."
Rachel Friend: supports changes that NEWR supports. no "last-minute shenanigans".
She is concerned about how many evictions BHP carries out--she assumes they have attorneys present at eviction court, and wants to support the "spirit" of our measure, which is about leveling the playing field.
We are returning to Junie Joseph's question now: does BHP receive state or local funding?
Tom Carr: BHP is the City's housing authority. They can "raise funds and provide housing".
The City is required to provide them with legal services.
Bob Yates: BHP receives "millions of dollars" from the City. It does also receive state and federal funding.
Junie is not for assessing the fee/tax on BHP...calls it a "vilification".
Tom Carr explains that CC can decide the voter disclosure amount for the tax--$1.8m vs. $2m.
Aaron Brockett congratulates us on making the ballot and expresses his gratitude to us for being willing to collaborate on updates to make NEWR stronger and even more beneficial.
Adam Swetlik: "This couldn't be more timely"
"Anyone who evicts someone should probably be responsible for who they are evicting in one way or another." - Adam Swetlik
Mark Wallach - speaks to the lack of renter protections at the state level. Yep, it's a problem.
"I do want to make one other comment" - he says there is nothing nefarious going on. Says folks should be more appreciative.
Mary Young - "I'm grateful for the addition of rental assistance."
Bob Yates - disagrees that attorneys aren't helpful. "As lawyers, we were able to buy them time in court simply by virtue of being there."
Sam Weaver: "we want to help people rather than fight legal challenges."
Aaron moves to adopt ordinance 8412, which includes rental assistance and funds NEWR as a tax instead of a fee.
Ruy, when asked for approval of the vote suggested: "I'm not the leader, I'm only the chair. I think the working people are the leaders."
Sam Weaver asks for objections: seeing none, it passes unanimously.
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