What is the City doing to preserve housing stock?

• City inspector
The City recently created and hired for a new City Inspector position. The City Inspector position is an in-house position to handle building permits, property maintenance code issues, code enforcement, sign permits and stormwater program coordination. The position is funded with the revenue from building permits and from stormwater rates. The Stormwater legislation that was passed in 2005 dramatically upgrades the requirements with which the City must comply and this position will address compliance with those requirements. It is anticipated that this position will enable the City to be more proactive in enforcement of nuisance and property maintenance codes. This will mean that these codes are no longer enforced simply on a complaint basis. If you would like to speak with the City Inspector, please phone 279-3662 and ask for the City Inspector.

• Housing rehabilitation program
The Metro Home Improvement Program is administered by the City of West Des Moines. The program is funded through the participating cities and the Polk County Housing Trust Fund. See http://www.wdm-ia.com/Index.aspx?page=87 for additional information and program application. The program began in Windsor Heights in 2002. Since that time, $186,695 has been invested in houses in Windsor Heights. A total of 17 houses have been assisted.

• Policies re rental
The City has a stringent rental code policy. Multiple family properties are inspected annually and single family homes are inspected every 18 months. Properties must pass inspection to permit them to be rented. Also, the City requires that special signage be used when offering a property for rent. If a rental property becomes the subject of nuisance abatement, the rental certificate is automatically revoked and the property must be re-registered and re-inspected. This a particularly useful tool when dealing with an out-of-town or out-of-state landlord. The City also passed an ordinance restricting the number of unrelated persons who can live in a rental home and passed an ordinance declaring properties that have constant, on-going problems that require law enforcement actions, as nuisance properties. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please call the City Administrator at 279-3662.