Communal Living In Boulder At Center Of Debate
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- The Boulder City Council is debating whether to crack down on communal living in single family homes in the city.
A proposed ordinance would make it easier for Boulder to regulate the rule that no more than four unrelated people can live in one home.
During the meeting on Tuesday night there was a lot of opposition to the plan. Opponents claim there is little affordable housing for students who attend the University of Colorado, especially for graduate students.
Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr said the biggest change would make tenants take more responsibility.
"We got a lot of emails from landlords saying, 'This isn't our fault. We can't prevent some kid from adding another kid to the lease so they can pay the rent,'" Carr said. "So that would make the tenant also responsible."
"This policy is in direct conflict with our goals around climate change since it increases in-commuting and per capita energy consumption," a student said. "And this policy is in direct conflict with providing affordable housing. Many people can't afford to live in Boulder and they work in Boulder and they should be able to live here."
The city council will take up the housing issue at its next meeting.