Akron Ballot Split on Rent Control and Tenant Protections

Akron voters face a direct clash over housing policy this November as two ballot initiatives seek to reshape the rental market. The proposals, known as Issues 11 and 12, have drawn sharp opposition from local business leaders who fear the changes will shrink the housing supply.

The Freedom BLOC, a local organizing group, spent months drafting the language for these measures. Imokhai Okolo, the group's organizer and movement lawyer, said the team collected more than 14,000 signatures to place the items on the ballot. Okolo stated that the effort was driven by the need to address the affordability crisis in the city.

Issue 11 proposes to ban application fees for housing and allow renters to choose their method of paying security deposits. Issue 12 would classify criminal history as a protected class, with exceptions for sex offenders and arsonists. Okolo noted that more than half of Akron residents currently cannot afford the monthly cost of living, which he said is the primary focus of the campaign.

Opposition centers on the potential financial impact on property owners. Julie Stoll, the acting president of the Akron-Canton Real Estate Investors Association, argued that the proposals remove the ability for landlords to manage risk. She warned that smaller investors may leave the area if they cannot reduce their financial exposure through standard screening practices.

Stoll predicted that the changes would limit the number of available units. She stated that as supply drops and demand remains high, costs for renters would rise. This outcome, she said, would counteract the intended goal of making housing more accessible.

Mayor Shammas Malik has also joined the ranks of those advising voters to reject both proposals. In a statement released earlier this month, Malik said the initiatives attempt to tackle real issues but fail to account for the negative impacts on both tenants and landlords. The mayor's stance aligns with the business community's concerns about market stability.

The Freedom BLOC dismissed the negative projections as an attempt to instill fear. Okolo said the proposals are designed to benefit everyday people in a city where housing costs are high. The decision now rests with Akron voters, who will cast ballots on both measures alongside other local questions.