Letter: Council Applicant Says Housing, Neighborhoods Kent's Next Challenge
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Dear Members of Kent City Council
The pleasure was mine to have the opportunity to address council for the vacated council seat held by Robin Turner, Weds Nov. 28, 2012. Even though the results were not favorable in my behalf, I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to address you and to bring to your attention a concern for the city that I as a life time resident, property and business owner share with other residents. This concerns the housing services in Kent and the deteriorating housing stock.
While I am elated at the development in downtown Kent, my concern is that the city does not lag behind in overseeing and promoting adequate and affordable housing in neighborhoods to support the needs of a growing and robust city. I shared my personal experiences as a landlord and homeowner and my experiences with other residents in surrounding Kent city neighborhoods who share similar concerns. I also participate in the Housing Services Council which is a coalition of businesses, consumers and agencies who share similar interest as they relate to developing and coordinating housing services in Portage county.
I would trust that council will seriously evaluate and explore opportunities to engage property owners, via a Landlord Association, Housing Association etc. so that issues can be addressed constructively. I am willing to offer my assistances and I would encourage you to leverage the information from Housing Services Council (city of Kent, Community Development Dept is a participant) to minimize duplication of efforts.
Thank you again and congratulations on the excellent progress in downtown Kent.
Doria Daniels
Kent
Misty Jones
12:14 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Well said, Ms. Daniels!
Very pro 2nd amendment!
6:01 pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012
What does affordable housing mean? Is she wanting more section 8, or public housing or just low income housing. Or just wanting to lower property values to fit everyone's budget.
Doria Daniels
12:35 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
To super citizen.. call me at 330-322-3554 and I will be willing to tell you what affordable housing is.. Young professionals coming to live in the city want to have homes where they can build equity.. so do you have some creative ideas on how to make this happen or just endless questions??
Chris (Kit) Myers
10:27 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
You raised the issue, Ms. Daniels. I would like for you, the "other residents" you mention, and the Housing Services Council, to identify the deteriorating housing stock that you mention. You have actually done nothing more than state a notion, something that has been done for years. You have neither identified any specific neighborhood where housing is deteriorating nor have you identified any specific houses that you think are deteriorating.
The City of Kent has housing codes. Why don't you identify, by address, houses that you think are deteriorating? Complain. Take pictures and present them to council. I hope you have better luck than I did when I complained to the health department AND the councilperson about specific houses next to my rental that were unlicensed (illegal) rooming houses.
By the way, there are plenty of houses for sale in Kent for young professionals to buy.
I hope my comments have assisted your efforts to make Kent a better place to live.
Chris (Kit) Myers
8:59 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
It has been two months since this story appeared and no deteriorating housing stock has been identified by the writer of the letter to council, the subject of this Patch story.
OK, I'll identify one. The house next door to the north of University Drive-Thru on South Water Street. To me it appears to be deteriorating, but perhaps it is fine and my standards are too high. Anyway, I have not seen anywhere that any city official has a problem with it, so obviously I am once again off base. I withdraw my negative comment about it. It looks just fine, as does all the housing stock in Kent. Thanks to the diligence of Kent City Council and our erstwhile City Manager for making it possible for me to make this statement.
Dr. Anarchy Clown PHD
9:45 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
read a book and relax kit, jeesh.