Springfield Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams Junior told the city council on Tuesday that he plans to propose what he is calling the “Residential Rental Inspection and Landlord Licensing Program.”
Details are not yet public on what the program would fully entail, but Williams said it will be the result of extensive input by community members and outside experts to address housing problems in the community.
Williams explained that the city is “overdue” to take higher action against property owner misconduct. He cited recent high-profile incidents with properties and urged the Council to involve the community in the development of his ordinance proposal.
Several residents spoke in favor of the proposal, highlighting a growing imbalance between expectations for tenants and landlords, as well as prohibitively high rental prices.
