Addressing Challenges and Seeking Solutions for the Repeat Offender Program (ROP) in Austin

The Repeat Offender Program (ROP) was introduced in 2013 and underwent significant revisions in 2014 to tackle pressing health and safety concerns in multifamily properties within the city of Austin. Over time, the program has grown, encompassing around 91 properties and 17,100 units. While the initial intent was to address health and safety issues, the ROP has expanded and faced criticism for its onerous nature, resulting in operational challenges and unintended consequences.

Key Points of Contention

Property management companies and owners, both new and existing, have voiced their frustration with the ROP. The major points of contention include:

• Inability to Remove from ROP: Property owners find it difficult to exit the program once enrolled, resulting in long-term obligations and oversight.
• Intrusive Inspection Practices: Concerns have been raised regarding the ROP inspection process, particularly door-to-door visits by code inspectors to solicit violations, which some property owners find intrusive.
• Resident Reporting Campaigns: Campaigns encouraging residents to report maintenance issues directly to the City instead of the property's ownership or management have been a source of tension.
• Vacant Housing Units: Due to the city's regulatory procedures and actions taken under the ROP, instances of rental housing units in Austin remaining vacant have been reported.

Seeking Feedback and Program Revamp

In light of these operational challenges, the Austin Apartment Association (AAA) acknowledges the need for comprehensive feedback to effectively revamp the ROP program. AAA's Government Affairs Director, Carrie Smith, has called upon all affected parties to share their experiences and insights regarding the ROP program. The goal is to gather valuable information about various aspects of the program to bring about meaningful improvements.

AAA is particularly interested in collecting data and feedback on:

• Frequency of Property Inspections: Understanding how often properties enrolled in the ROP are inspected and the impact of this frequency on property owners.
• Financial Burdens Incurred: Insights into the fines and fees associated with the ROP that property owners have had to bear, and the overall financial impact on their operations.
• Units Rendered Offline: Details regarding the number of units taken offline due to the ROP, shedding light on the program's effect on housing availability in Austin.
• Code Violations and Reporting Process: Specifics about code violations reported through the ROP and the experiences of property owners with the reporting process.

By gathering this crucial feedback, AAA aims to advocate for improvements in the ROP that strike a balance between regulatory goals and practical operational requirements for property owners and management companies.