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Correction
This article actually has AI content with added staff input
as well. It was previously – mistakenly – identified as no AI.
The high rent levels in Pontiac
and the struggle to pay them
PRACTICAL ADJUSMENTS
Inflation is the primary driver for the high rent levels and this fairly recent blown up index always
has an unfavorable cascading effect on the economy. Understandably, the rent hikes are sure to
follow as they are readjusted to mirror the market changes of higher costs for goods and services.
What’s generally not addressed in municipal settings is the nonconfrontation and ignoring of
landlords that step into price gouging with the extreme overcharging of unworthy properties
where the rental cost doesn’t match the quality or location.
OWNER REIMBURSEMENT
There are obviously legitimate occasions were a landlord isn’t left with any other option but to
recover their losses after a tenant has damaged or destroyed property. This business strategy is
logical and prudent, nevertheless, there are a couple of circumstances where crossing the price
increase line equates to an unjustifiable move. Example: #1. When the landlord has increased rent
and recovered all losses, but hasn’t readjusted the tenants rental cost back to the original
amount? #2. Landlords who dishonestly charge premium prices for low grade disrepair and
dilapidated properties when up to standard properties in the city are charging the same price for
similar or identical square footage, rooms, and amenities etc. #3. When Pontiac’s median income
level and home appraisal levels are historically the lowest in Oakland County, how does this reality
result in the current sky high rental prices that have infected the landscape of the city?
Sensible relief is duly needed here and there’s no way of shirting around it. There’s an unarmed
robbery money grab taking place that’s absolutely wrong. This type of business model closely
resembles the shady activity of criminals and professional fraudsters that are commonly dealt
with by authorities in the appropriate manner.
OPPORTUNISTIC EXPLOITATION
This is flat out greed and there’s never a valid reason available to latch onto in these kinds of
scenarios. For large segments of rental unit landlords in the city, this would probably be the
telltale category they would fall into. Like most urban areas, you have (in many cases) the avarice
risk takers who buy up properties for the sole reason of sitting on them until the value increases,
which is their opportune time to bail out and sell. In the interim, the property is typically unkept
to a larger or lesser degree and it deteriorates over time while the local government attempts to
find workarounds for improving their housing stock. Urban municipalities are acutely aware that
blighted properties are magnets and havens for unsavory dark activities that present safety
issues and further adds to the decline of properties and neighborhoods plus project a bad image
of the area. The cycle is vicious.
FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLES TO STAY AFLOAT
The struggle to consistently come up with the absorbent rental costs has become a sad and
unreasonable strain on a huge number of residents. Of course, many were forced to seek shelter
outside of Pontiac, while others have had to take on an additional job or added income source.
Some were fortunate to share rent and spaces with family or friends to alleviate the tremendous
pressure and cough up the jacked up price to live in the city. What a 21st century disgusting
shame that a group of outsiders can have this sort of effect on largely mothers and children in a
dramatic form of slapping them in the face and saying good riddance to you, and don’t let the
door hit you in your rear end on the way out.
**The following sarcasm would be my take on the psychological
processes that these sort of predator landlords maintain and live.
These landlord types would spin out: “Hey guys, we really don’t care about the wellbeing of you,
your children or others, we just want (the paper and the dough) at any cost, because we love it
much more than we love or care about you. We as landlords won’t exercise compassion, commit
to humanitarian efforts, or perform pro bono for the public good – no breaks here for you, ha!"
“Listen up you people, when dire circumstances occur, we definitely want you and others to show
concern and support for our family and friends, but we won’t do the same in return for you and
yours, so don’t expect us to. Just kick in that big wad of cash on schedule and be quiet. We have
you and your city over a barrel, so just go with the flow and let us have our way.”
Okay Pontiac, is this “exemplar ridicule” just nonsense and a fairy tale, or does this ring a bell and
hit a nerve? Do you think it closely pinpoints how they think and feel?
WHAT’S THE SOLUTION
This one only needs a brief and simple response. If you have had enough of this foul reality,
execute the following…
Gather your neighborhood people, groups, and organizations, (district CDC presidents and/or
vice presidents, churches, senior centers, social service non-profits etc). Select 3 to 5
individuals as a committee and group leaders from this gathering. Assign them to officially
invite and schedule a meeting with all seven city council members, county commissioner and
state representative. Get input from all parties and create a preliminary rough draft of potential
solutions. Do it this year rather than waiting later would be a sound plan!!