Councilor pushes for roommate limitation
Colleges would report off-campus info to city
Ashley Portero
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: News
Boston City Council President Michael P. Ross wants to make five an unlucky number for off-campus students. On Feb. 2, Ross proposed a new ordinance that would require colleges and universities to inform the city when more than four students are living together in an off-campus residence, a follow up to an ordinance he pushed through last March that made it illegal for over four students to share a rented house or apartment.
Vice President of Public Affairs David Rosen said Emerson opposes the ordinance, and would only release student information if bound by law.
"It's not ethical or fair to single out college undergraduates like this," he said.
There is currently no fool proof way for the city to determine if students are violating the housing cap, according to the city's Inspectional Services. Because of federal privacy laws, the Inspectional Services are only able to locate violators when they receive a complaint, said Dion Irish, the Assistant Commissioner for the Housing Division.
Ross's communication director, Amy Derjue, said the cap is necessary, citing problems that can sometimes result from students in crowded living situations.
Derjue said the main problem lies with landlords that renovate properties in order to add more bedrooms, and then rack up rent prices. These residences, which are primarily marketed towards college students, are prevalent in areas of Allston, Brighton and Mission Hill.
"Landlords are putting up walls and insulating porches to add bedrooms," Derjue said, adding that the higher rent prices unfairly increases property taxes for neighborhood residents.
While the city claims the cap will help shield students from scheming landlords, some students believe that it will do more harm than good. Junior Roger Tower said it takes away an affordable way for students to live off campus.
Tower, who recently signed a lease with nine other people for a Brookline house, also said news of Ross's most recent proposal is unnerving, and is an invasion of student privacy.
Vice President of Public Affairs David Rosen said Emerson opposes the ordinance, and would only release student information if bound by law.
"It's not ethical or fair to single out college undergraduates like this," he said.
There is currently no fool proof way for the city to determine if students are violating the housing cap, according to the city's Inspectional Services. Because of federal privacy laws, the Inspectional Services are only able to locate violators when they receive a complaint, said Dion Irish, the Assistant Commissioner for the Housing Division.
Ross's communication director, Amy Derjue, said the cap is necessary, citing problems that can sometimes result from students in crowded living situations.
Derjue said the main problem lies with landlords that renovate properties in order to add more bedrooms, and then rack up rent prices. These residences, which are primarily marketed towards college students, are prevalent in areas of Allston, Brighton and Mission Hill.
"Landlords are putting up walls and insulating porches to add bedrooms," Derjue said, adding that the higher rent prices unfairly increases property taxes for neighborhood residents.
While the city claims the cap will help shield students from scheming landlords, some students believe that it will do more harm than good. Junior Roger Tower said it takes away an affordable way for students to live off campus.
Tower, who recently signed a lease with nine other people for a Brookline house, also said news of Ross's most recent proposal is unnerving, and is an invasion of student privacy.
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dsaklad@gnu.org
thezak
posted 2/26/09 @ 2:38 AM EST
The Honorable Michael P. Ross
Boston City Council
Massachusetts
Dear Councilor Ross, By email please send the last stenographic
machine record you obtained for a public meeting of our Boston City
Council. (Continued…)
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