The critics of rent control conveneniently confuse the good concept with
specific examples of poor practices.
The usual example of how it supposedly does not work is New York city. The
problem with rent control in New York City is that it was mostly ended a
long time ago. (I forget the specific years). What happened was that the
real estate interests got enough power to get rid of it - except for a large
group of middle class renters who depended on it and were able to preserve
it to some degree. In a couple of steps, rental units were placed back on
the open market, except for those who were already living in rent control
units or their immediate families who get the unit passed under rent
control. The result was that people who were already renting units when the
program was phased out could continue to have affordable rents. This did
protect many people with limited incomes, as well as preserving huge
bargains for some affluent people. (A most high profile example - in the
late 70s and 80s, the mayor, Ed Koch, held onto his rent controlled
apartment in Greenwich Village even though he had a mansion for an official
residence). Several loopholes provided other ways for landlords to get rid
of rent controlled units besides by a tenant moving out, such as moving into
the unit themselves or destroying the building. The latter loophole
encourage the elimination of affordable units, thereby further driving up
the prices of non-rent controlled units.
Meanwhile, anyone who does not have a rent-controlled apartment, had to
compete for the normally very low number of vacancies on the open market.
Anyone who does not have a high income has choices of doubling or trippling
up with others in small spaces, living in substandard housing or a
high-crime area, moving outside the city, or going homeless.
In summary, the problem with rent control in New York is that it is very
limited and very poorly designed. It should not be used as an argument
against rent control in Minneapolis.
A solution to the housing crisis in Minneapolis should include rent control
. It just needs to be carefully and fairly planned, and combined with
programs and resources to increase the overall supply of housing.
Jordan Kushner
Ward 8
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