City of Green Bay Seeks Residential Housing Investigator

Right now, the City says state resources are spread too thin. Some bad landlords and tenants are slipping through the cracks or not being reported at all.

According to the City Attorney's office, there used to be up to 20 offices statewide to manage complaints between tenants and landlords, now there are only 3 investigators.

Officials hope localizing enforcememnt will protect good landlords and tenants, and force bad ones to shape up or ship out.

Trina Williams does not have a good relationship with her landlord.

"It was basically raining in my kitchen," she recalls.

Some things get fixed, but others, like the plumbing, are left unattended.

"It leaks, the toilet leaks," says Williams.

City building inspectors have told Trina's landlord that the house is not up to code, but that was news to her.

"She sent me a letter, it was like, yeah, you shouldn't even be living in this place, so I'm like, oh my goodness," says Williams.

Trina says she didn't know who to turn to for help, but the City plans to change that by hiring a Residential Housing Investigator. The role includes investigating complaints like Trina's, interviewing both the tenant and the landlord, then deciding if charges need to be filed.

Assistant City Attorney Jim Mueller says depleted resources across the state have made the local position a necessity.

"People have been getting discouraged because when there is no enforcement action, people have stopped complaining," says Mueller.

NeighborWorks Green Bay is a non-profit that ownes several low-income housing units in the area. They say landlords could benefit from the added spotlight.

"Any landlord, any business owner faces the prospect of being taken advantage of by their customers, and I think this resource will be a good asset for them as well," says NeighborWorks Executive Director Noel Halvorsen.

But not all landlords agree. One we spoke with, who did not want to be on camera, says whenever he deals with the city, blame is always put on the property owner and judgements are rarely enforced.

WFRV tried reaching out to Trina's landlord for an explaination about her situation, but were told to leave a message.

As for Trina, she says she is moving out.

"It's just too much, it's getting too expensive. I have small children and I just can't, it's not sanitary for one," says Williams.

The position would be filled by a contracted service and cost about $30,000, but the City Attorney's office says the cost could be offest by the revenue it generates off fines.

The City Council will vote on creating the position at their next meeting on December 11.