Thanks to a new software program developed by city staff, Simi Valley can keep better track of illegal and substandard dwellings.

The city's planning department developed the software last year as part of MUSTS-Municipal Unsafe Structure Tracking System-a four-month-old program that streamlines the exchange of information among three city departments: planning, code compliance and building and safety.

The first staff report on MUSTS was released at a recent city council meeting.

"It's almost instantaneous communication amongst the various departments," said Peter Lyons, deputy director of environmental services. "It's all for safety."

The software allows for more efficient communication between the three departments responsible for ensuring that structures meet safety codes. The program was launched in October at the city council's direction after a January 2005 fire in an illegally modified overcrowded home took the life of a resident and injured his girlfriend and infant.

According to the staff report, MUSTS has tracked 136 cases of substandard housing or unsafe living conditions since becoming operational. Of those, 81 were new cases. To date, 53 of the cases have been resolved voluntarily, and one has been referred to the city attorney's office for appropriate legal action.

Most of the outstanding cases involve the illegal conversion of garages into living spaces, the report stated. The conversion must either be brought up to safety codes or changed back into a garage.

Lyons said MUSTS enables the city to have a long-term program to ensure the unsafe structures are corrected, especially those that involve repeat violators-homeowners who turn the living space back into a garage and after city inspectors review it, turn it again into a living area.

Other cities concerned with overcrowded and unsafe homes have expressed interest in the MUSTS program. The problem, often due to skyrocketing housing costs, has surfaced in several California cities. Once overcrowding cases currently in the court system are decided, cities may have more options available to them, Lyons said.

Mayor Paul Miller agreed the problem is far-reaching but said the city's hands are tied. The law prevents the city from regulating how many people can live in a home, but it can make sure modifications are done correctly, he said.

"If we can prevent someone from being killed or injured, then that's the goal," Miller said.