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Overcrowding, substandard housing topic at Council meeting
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More from Breaking NewsThe problem of overcrowding and substandard housing in Oxnard is set for discussion at the City Council tonight, with Councilman Tim Flynn saying he will urge his colleagues to increase the number of code compliance officers in the 2008-2009 budget.
Residents have called on city officials to deal with substandard housing — people living in garages, backyard shacks, campers and mobile homes in often squalid and dangerous conditions, Flynn said Monday.
"There might be 10,000 people living in these condiditons in Oxnard," he said. Flynn said he based the estimate on his own observations and conversations with code compliance officials. Many people living in substandard conditions are migrant workers, he said.
Flynn added that he doesn't have a specific number in mind in terms of increasing the number of compliance officers, but said the existing nine are insufficient to deal with a city with a population nearing 200,000.
With an estimated 7,245 people per square mile, Oxnard is one of the most densely populated cities in California. Among eight cities with similar populations across the state, only Huntington Beach has a higher density. Other Ventura County municipalities have much lower densities: Ventura, 3,311; Thousand Oaks, 2,339; Simi Valley, 3,222.
Money for more compliance officers could come from a reduction in the amount the city is spending for consulting services, Flynn said.
The compliance officer suggestion is one of several that the councilman is planning to present during a public hearing at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 305 W. Third Street.
Flynn said he also would like to see the city engage more neighborhood councils on working on beautification issues.
"The objective is to get people to come together and determine what is acceptable aesthetically," he said.
The city already has done a lot to provide affordable housing for farmworkers and other low-income people, Flynn said.
However, he acknowledged that to the extent the city continues to reduce substandard housing, some low-income people will have to move out of Oxnard.
Flynn said reducing overcrowding will help the city to become more prosperous.
Overcrowding was identified as a key issue during the city's 2005 Strategic Summit, he said.
Posted by TimeArrow on May 6, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Councilman Tim Flynn!!!!!!!!!
People come here for jobs and a better life. Don't allow them to take our country down to the same miserable level of deterioration as the one they abandoned. By doing so, they are biting the hand that feeds them.
Posted by jw1000 on May 6, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is there overcrowding? Too many illegals of course.
Posted by holdenon_2000 on May 6, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think adding officers will help, we have called to complain numerous times about overcrowding on our street, but code compliance did nothing and the homes we complained about are still overcrowded, even though I saw a code officer on my street. They should have tackled this problem years ago. Now by enforcing the occupancy of a home, you will be taking away rent from the owner who needs the money to make the mortgage. So now the home with multiple families will be foreclosed. The city let this happen, and are still letting this problem grow. The only resolution is to fine owners $500 per person over the limit. The limit should be based on the homes original room count (garages, and living rooms converted to bedrooms will not count) a three bedroom home should have an occupancy limit of 6 occupants period, 2 per room. Any illegal additions or sheds being occupied should result in a $2,000 fine. If the fines are not high enough then the enforcement will not work.
Posted by patticakepatti on May 6, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"he acknowledged that to the extent the city continues to reduce substandard housing, some low-income people will have to move out of Oxnard."
If he honestly thinks "low-income people" will "have" to move he must smoke crack! Use the part of your brain that governs COMMON SENSE and you will quickly see that these "low-income people" will not move but rather build elsewhere in Oxnard. Perhaps it will boost the economy some as they will need to buy some building materials.
No wonder our economy is in such disarray, we have complete morons running it!
Posted by holdenon_2000 on May 6, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
agreed patticakepatti
The city let this mess happen, and now it will be expensive with court battles, protests, civil rights complaints, and increased officers. They should have stopped this cr_p 15 years ago.
Posted by chair on May 6, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting responses! OFN reported a while ago that an Oxnard resident would have to earn $12.43 an hour to rise above the local poverty level. So, it would seem that raising the minimum wage to, say, $15 an hour would go a long way to resolving many of these problems. Mr. Flynn needs to address the causes rather than the effects of low wages requiring multiple families in single family homes.
Posted by Face on May 6, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oxnard is a futuristic city. For this is the future of all of SoCal unless something concrete is done. Which it never will be.
Posted by patticakepatti on May 6, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Flynn will not address the causes as he knows full well that this is not going to work. He's going to poo poo his way through this and by the time they figure out that it won't work, he will be long gone on a tropical island sipping his coconut c---tail with a smirk on his face. Wish I could get paid for being so stupid!
Posted by 1958boss on May 6, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The cause is people not respecting the laws. People can't sell a home
because the potential buyers don't want to fight for parking in front of the home.
Someone just moved in across from me, and It's a living he!!, 3 bedroom home, with 8 cars, no cars in the garage, because there's 3 different refrigerators, and pantry storage, a shack is in the back complete with cable, (neighbors son was sitting on the block fence, she asked what he was doing, he said watching novellas) which has to be stolen, also illegal, this has been reported by several of the neighbors. They need to know that they purchased a home, not an apartment complex. If Flynn can make this work, I'll be the 1st to paint a FLYNN for mayor poster.
Posted by rmc on May 6, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You all, must be ignorant seniors who own thier own home and don't give it a thought about others. Illegals are always the outlet, but have you ever thought of the younger gerneration who have purchaced thier 1st home and are trying to keep it, by renting out rooms. People have to live. Do you really think anyone is leaving? They'll just become angry renters who have lost their homes because of fines imposed, on top of morgage that is unaffordable. Get a life and join a big brother program.
Posted by gingerlou on May 6, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say Oxnard residents need to support whatever alternative ideas are out there. Bring your b$#@ sessions to council meetings. Until you are educated...you needn't waste your time. Expressing your thoughts on the VC Star won't bring real change, which is highly overdue!
I support the Coucilman's idea and hope you all do what you can to improve your city...I don't even like to go to Oxnard because of the nonsense and how it's so rampid.
Clean up!!! Take ownership of your community!!!! Remember, it's not just City Council who determines policy.
Ventura Resident ;)
Posted by tmarco on May 6, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps if we could start gently suggesting that people who are poor consider delaying having 5 or 6 babies, then maybe they could begin to climb out of poverty, get an education, get a better job, and work for above minimum wage. I'm sorry, but if you're living in a "backyard shack", maybe this isn't the best time to bring another child into the world. Oh by the way, RMC you're the ignorant one! Not the "seniors" who have worked their entire lives, payed taxes, raised families, been responsible, kept their houses in order, and respected the community. Unbelievable!
Posted by gingerlou on May 8, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tmarco, awesome comment! I agree whole heartedly that people shouldn't have kids "just because...it's the way they've always lived" Times have changed in the last...oh say...30 years and Americans do have children when they can't afford them (sadly) but Americans aren't as likely to have 5-6 when they live in a house only big enough for 3. California is cramped either way you look at it so why add to the situation? Why, because you are not educated enough to understand it's wrong. I say wrong because as a parent you should be more responsible & understand it is your job to help you family be successful in life and not set them up for failure. By living in substandard housing, stealing housing, etc...is showing your family they it's ok to be responsible and just have kids because it's the way things have always been. I'm sure there isn't that much farming to be done in your backyard shack, so stop acting like you need to produce 5-6 so you can farm the land...we americans quit that along time ago. Hey, maybe we should start taxing those who have excessive children above their income...instead of giving them money to have them.
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