LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Tuesday night, Little Rock Director Antwan Phillips introduced a proposal to add penalties to landlords who do not keep their properties up to code.
Phillips said this all sparked more than a year ago when Big Country Chateau residents complained of terrible conditions.
But that issue soon turned into action for the City of Little Rock.
Back in February, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced the plan for harsher penalties for landlords.
"It breaks my heart that residents of our great city are paying rent, but still have no running water," Scott said. "Their places are infested with roaches, and sick of black mold. Enough is enough."
Part of that plan is Phillips' proposal to expand the city code.
The addition will lay out the time frame a landlord has to fix a property if it doesn't meet code standards.
If that landlord does not comply they could be held liable for costs related to moving tenants to temporary housing or a lien could be put on the property.
"It takes a certain amount of courage, I think, for the people to come to the city board and explain their city condition," Phillips said.
Some of those people were at the board meeting Tuesday night. One woman celebrated Phillips' work and said in a statement:
"I would like to see the mayor and all of the directors come together and work with Director Phillips so that Little Rock renters can live in safe, healthy, and affordable apartments, especially in southwest Little Rock where I live," Southwest Little Rock Community Organizations President Valencia White said.
Now, Phillips will work to finalize his proposal into an ordinance to present to the board. He hopes to have it finished and voted on before the end of April.