Also, I would just like to add that in Barbara's message, she seemed to concentrate mainly on younger people who were in a position to plan things such as how large a family to have. However, senior citizens should be kept in mind when discussing rent increases. Sudden, sharp increases may hit seniors particularly hard because many of them live on fixed incomes and cannot run out and get extra jobs.
In 1980 and 1981 when rent control was a hot issue in Minneapolis, it was quite common for people to buy and sell apartment buildings speculatively. They made a LOT of money doing this. But interest rates were high, so it was common for the new owners to raise rents dramatically. This was especially hard on seniors.
The Minneapolis Charter amendment failed by a 70-30 margin, so the issue was set aside. However, it should be noted that the landlords outspent the rent control supporters by about 100 to 1.
Don Jorovsky (Veteran of 1981 rent control charter amendment effort)
From: JKurtis Ballantine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: basia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rent Control Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 13:12:53 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Barbara,
I commend you on your resourcefulness. Please understand it's not your way or the highway. People see things and live differently and have a right to in America. There are hundreds, if not thousands of reasons not to handle "struggling" the way you have.
My concern is that you appear to be imposing your burden and anger on those who see things differently, while handling property for those in need.
Kurt Ballantine
South Minneapolis
basia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: There are numerous alternatives to the anti-business idea of rent control. 1. Minnesota still refunds a portion of the owners' property tax to lower income renters. 2. Get a roommate. 3. Pool your resources and buy a house with a friend or 2. 4. Graduate from high school, and then back to school and learn a trade or profession to make more money. 5. Plan on having a smaller family as they are less expensive. 6. Wait until you are married, have finished school and have a job before you start a family. Families with 2 parents have been proven to be more successful.
Outrageous old-fashioned ideas, but they have been proven to work. I am a
single Mom of a 15 year old son. I was, able to support myself when he was
born, so even though his Dad is deceased, we can get by. I also manage 66
units of family section 8 in Minneapolis. I speak from experience. Most
young people that hear how long my waiting list is react with disgust when I
suggest they find a roommate as a temporary solution. It takes time, hard
work and dedication to support yourself and a family. The arrogance of some
insisting that everyone has a "right" to this or that is ridiculous. Try
earning it! I had roommates for years as an adult. My parents worked 2
jobs. It is lack of motivation more than lack of income that is the
problem.
Barbara Murray
Riverside Park
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