Craig Miller's post mostly confirms my main points: the rent control system
in New York City is a poor model. His criticisms of the problems and
shortcomings of New York's system are echoing my points. By again using New
York as an argument against rent control, however, Mr. Miller is using this
deeply flawed system as a straw horse, and ignoring my second main point:.
the problems with the rent control system in New York do not prevent us from
establishing a fairer and more effective system of rent control.
It also needs to be noted that the studies that Mr. Miller cites to
discredit rent control are largely performed by conservative institutions
and individuals, funded by and for business interests.
Jordan Kushner
Ward 8
----- Original Message -----
From: "craig miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Ross Kaplan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Jordan S.
Kushner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2001 11:40 AM
Subject: Rent Control Lanldords response
> I've taken time to respond to Jordan Kushner's post. This is a moderate
> length post with many links. It is for those who have a serious interest
in
> the issue of rent control. Rent control is an idea that's time has
passed.
>
> 1. Rent control still exists in New York City. As pointed out by fellow
> list members. If you need further confirmation see
> http://www.comptroller.nyc.ny.us/bureaus/press/rentcontrol.htm It is the
> testimony of the Deputy City Comptroller on the virtues of rent control.
>
> 2. Jordan's own writing. " A large group of middle class renters" Why
> should the taxpayers of NYC subsidize these "middle class renters".
> Property taxes are based on value. Value is based on income. Income is
> based on rent.
>
> 3. I find it interesting that in New York City you can "will" your
tenancy
> to some one. I wish I could will what I pay for food today, to my
> grandkids 50 years from now. Just kind of fix the price forever. That
sure
> would make paying for my great grandkids school a whole lot easier. I am
> sure the folks at Cub will understand.
>
> 4. Abuse, fraud, mismanagement. By the highest officials in the city.
> Sounds like a bad idea.
>
> 5. Loopholes for landlords to get rid of rent controlled units. Moving
into
> a unit to force the renter out. Or "destroying the building". There has
> to be something wrong with a system that would encourage owners to destroy
> their property. I would say it borders on madness.
>
> 6. Why not study NYC. It is the place where rent control has been
practiced
> the longest.
>
> 7. Rent control Drives people out of the apartment building business.
>
> It drives rents up. See Cato Institute's study. Exec summary is just a
few
> paragraphs
> www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-274.html
>
> It lowers vacancy rates. See cato sight and Check out the "Economic
> Journal" Article. It was prepared by a couple of members of the Cornell
> University Econ Department
www.people.cornell.edu/pages/kb40/rentcontol.pdf
> you will need Adobe's acrobat to view. Most PC's have it preloaded or
it's
> free to down load. Don't worry about virus'.
>
> In every situation where rent control was in place then abolished, great
> things have happened. Check out an article in the "Economist" Magazine.
> It describes post rent control Boston and Cambridge (Home to Harvard).
They
> saw dramatic improvements of property. Tax collections shoot up.
> Gentrification started stabilizing troubled neighborhoods. Check it out
at
> www.acpub.duke.edu/~tkw2/econ-51/Rentcontrol.html
>
> According to a survey of economists of the American Economic Association,
> 93% agreed with this. " A ceiling on rent reduces quality and quantity
of
> housing available" Check out this study. It is by the National
> Multihousing Council. www.nmhc.org/media/rentcontrol/highcost/body/html
> It is backed up by a Rand Corporation study. It indicates the following.
>
> - Building of new units decreases in rent controlled cities.
> -Investment and maintenance of Rent controlled buildings drops off
> dramatically. Is that what we need in
> Minneapolis?
> - As stated earlier, tax receipts drop off.
> - Some one has to administer the program. In Santa Monica California in
> 1996, 28,000 units were
> "administered" ( not managed) for $4,000,000 What a waste. In
> Minnesota we could build 66 units with
> that every year.
>
> I will take any ones request for more information on this off list. The
> real problem with our housing is multi-faceted. If the policy makers of
> this city, county, region, state wish to ease this crisis, we must get
> serious about some key issues that landlords and builders face.
>
>
> Craig Miller
> Former Fultonite
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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