Renters are members of our community. When the 2000 census was taken, 52.4% of the housing units in Shorewood were rental units. That number is much higher than the rental percentage numbers in the other North Shore communities. As such, we in Shorewood must find a way to make peace between homeowners and renters.
There have been several stories in the Shorewood Herald lately which have, intentionally or unintentionally, struck an anti-renter tone. While I understand that we must enforce our zoning, noise, and parking ordinances, we must also take steps and make public statements which make renters feel welcome in our community.
Positive public statements by elected officials would be helpful, rather than only stern warnings about increased enforcement of ordinances which exclusively apply to renters. Pro-renter events or activities would make renters feel like community members rather than unwelcome guests. More realistic parking ordinances, similar to the relaxation of the parking rules on North Oakland, would also benefit renters.
The future of Shorewood depends on how we treat our renters. We need them to stay and have kids and send them to our schools. We need to attract them to drive down our soaring vacancy rate in rental units. We need them to move in en masse, drive up rent, and improve the economic prospect of owning a duplex. We need them to stay and become homeowners. We need renters.
