GILROY
– An estimated 75 local landlords, absentee property owners and
property managers will meet with representatives from a host of
local organizations Thursday night to discuss how to make Gilroy
rental properties – mainly apartment complexes – better places to
live.
GILROY – An estimated 75 local landlords, absentee property owners and property managers will meet with representatives from a host of local organizations Thursday night to discuss how to make Gilroy rental properties – mainly apartment complexes – better places to live.
“We want to build a strong alliance between property owners – especially absentee property owners – and the city,” said Rachel Muñoz, the Gilroy Police Department community service officer which helped organize the meeting. “The goal is to improve the quality of life in Gilroy.”
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St., local landlords and apartment managers will drive from as far as way Contra Costa County to meet with local officials, which will include Mayor Tom Springer; members of the Gilroy Police Department, including Chief Gregg Giusiana; representatives from Project Sentinel; Gilroy Deputy District Attorney Frank Carrubba; and the city’s code enforcement officer, Scot Barron.
Discussions will focus on educating landlords and property managers about the consequences of not addressing rental concerns and on-going crime problems, while providing information to help them effectively manage their properties, Muñoz said.
Topics such as fair housing; change in demographics; crime, drug and gang activity; blight and neglected buildings; abandoned vehicles; litter; and overcrowding will also be addressed.
This is the third such meeting organized between local agencies and property owners during the past five years, according to Muñoz.
More than 200 invitations to the meeting were sent out to Gilroy property owners. All members of the public are also welcome to attend the meeting.
“We will try to get through to the owners that simple things such as knowing how to run a credit check on a prospective tenant can be very effective in maintaining control of a property,” Muñoz said. “Just getting some of these owners here lets us get to know them so now they know where to call for help.”
Meeting with city officials will benefit landowners by increased property values, reducing maintenance and repair costs, improving demographics, reducing crime and creating a safer community, Muñoz said.
“All improvements start with communication,” Muñoz said. “This is a crucial step in taking back some of our neighborhoods.”
