The Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association on Monday night continued its quest for landlord accountability.
TBYN’s Robert Rudnitsky is leading an effort to have city-issued decals placed on rental properties: one for a single-family home, two for a duplex and three for a triplex. The stickers would be on the outside of a property. If valid stickers are not visible, rent would be free for the tenant. Landlords would be fined for violations.
Some municipalities in Pennsylvania and other parts of the country have similar programs.
Ralph DiPietro, acting commissioner of the city Department of Licenses and Inspections, knows of TBYN’s plan, as he attended the group’s June meeting.
Members say City Councilman Bobby Henon has been receptive, but have yet to connect with Councilwomen Cherelle Parker and Maria Quinones Sanchez.
“Councilman Henon is on board with this,” Henon aide Stan Cywinski told the crowd.
Cywinski said the city lacks an adequate number of L&I inspectors. He advised TBYN members to lobby members of Council to hire more inspectors.
In other news from the Aug. 23 meeting, state Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a senior fair on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at St. William hall, 6200 Rising Sun Ave.
The entrance is at Argyle and Robbins streets.
There will be state and local government resources, representatives from hospitals and insurance companies, local businesses, senior homes, light refreshments, free flu and COVID-19 vaccines, expired medicine disposal, a presentation on scam prevention and blood pressure screenings.
To RSVP, call 215-342-6340. ••
