KANSAS CITY - For nearly 5 hours Tuesday, the Wichita City Council discussed potential changes to how the city enforces property maintenance codes and addressing bad landlords.
Additionally, the amendment would have required registration of properties with maintenance violations. It would have also amended the city's non-discrimination ordinance to include source of income, requiring property owners to accept Section 8 federal housing vouchers. That program provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly and those with disabilities.
Council member Brandon Johnson said he has seen terrible things in rental properties he's toured.
The council voted to defer the largest item which included the adoption of international maintenance codes. The city will convey a task force to engage with stakeholders and make refinements by their December 9th meeting. They voted to deny requiring the registration of violators and amending the city's non-discrimination ordinance.
In all, 38 people spoke before the council, including tenants and landlords.