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ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL Ordinance tweak favors students seeking housing Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 8:11 PM Updated Jul 25, 2016 at 8:12 PM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 8:11 PM Updated Jul 25, 2016 at 8:12 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Students make case for city action on rental fairness • Students want ban on banning students • Ashland tackles student housing discrimination • Ashland mulls making students a protected class in housing rules... » Social News In a move to ease the pressures of Southern Oregon University students trying to find housing in Ashland, the City Council attempted last week Tuesday to close loopholes which allow landlords to refuse to rent to them. The Ashland City Council on July 19 passed the measure but stopped short of making students a “protected class.” The council took the recommendations of housing authority specialist Linda Reid, who met with students and crafted an ordinance which makes it illegal discrimination to refuse to rent to a person based on age or how they receive their income, such as student loans, scholarships or stipends, as well as Section Eight funds which are awarded to low income residents through a federal Housing and Urban Development grant. It also adds protection for domestic partnership. Megan Mercier, representing the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University, told councilors how landlords banning students from renting creates a system where students who attend classes cannot live in Ashland or, if they choose to live close to school, may find themselves in difficult circumstances. “I’ve met people who are living in their cars or on the streets because they choose to pursue a higher education,” Mercier said. While the new ordinance would not specifically have language pertaining to students, it does create some greater protections, according to Mercier. “The proposed ordinance isn’t a whole solution. But it’s a step. I think we can all agree the damaging effects of stereotypes. By adding these protections students will have a legal resource.” Based on the ordinance, proven discrimination in renting a dwelling would be a class one violation, which is the most severe and carries financial penalties which can be up to $4,000 for corporations, or half that for individuals. The Southern Oregon Rental Owners Association had come out against creating students as a protected class because, according to spokesperson Mark Nichols, students wouldn’t be getting what they think they’d be getting. Nichols is referring to the landlord’s rights to demand a rental history and appropriate income, which many students do not yet have. Add to that a very low vacancy rate of less than 2 percent and students often find themselves struggling to find a place to live. Councilor Pam Marsh, in voting in favor of the ordinance, agreed that the changes cannot fix everything, but said the inclusion of age protection as well as sources of income will help students. “I do not think this will solve our housing issues. Housing is at an all-time low in terms of availability. I do think it’s a reasonable step forward.” Councilor Carol Voisin, who is also an SOU professor, agreed. “This is a long time coming, April 2014. I hear it almost every day in my classes — the incredible debt they are assuming and they can’t even find housing. It’s really going to speak loudly to the student body that we care about them.” In 2014, a meeting took place between students and the housing commission to create a solution to what students said was discrimination based on their status as students. However, the concern has been around for many years before that. The Ashland City Council remains hopeful that this latest ordinance change can assist students in finding housing in town. Councilor Stefani Seffinger brought her own experience to bear in recommending the passage. “At 16," she said, "I was an emancipated minor and I really wanted to see this move forward. I support it 100 percent.” Councilor Mike Morris concurred. “I support it also. Decades ago when I was in college I saw it happen when I was a male student trying to find housing.” Roughly 74 percent of the 6,000-plus student population lives in off campus housing. The housing ordinance passed unanimously on its first reading and will come back again for final passage at the next council meeting on Aug. 2. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 8:11 PM Updated Jul 25, 2016 at 8:12 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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