A new survey reveals overwhelming support for rent control across the political spectrum, but experts caution that these measures could inadvertently worsen housing affordability by discouraging new construction and potentially driving up rents before implementation.
Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed limiting rent increases to 5% for two years for landlords with over 50 units. While this bold move aims to provide relief for renters facing affordability issues, economists warn of potential downsides like lower housing quality and reduced construction. The proposal highlights the complex challenges surrounding the housing crisis and the need for a multifaceted approach.
An analysis of over 300 Above-Guideline Rent Increase (AGI) applications in Hamilton, Burlington, and Niagara Region revealed that 28 out of 32 applications in the Hamilton region in 2022 were filed by 19 corporate landlords. This trend has raised concerns about the affordability of housing for low- and moderate-income renters amidst a housing crisis in Ontario. Lulu Xi, a former tenant in a highrise owned by Equiton, shared her experience of dealing with deteriorating living conditions while facing a $400 above-guideline rent increase request that was not yet approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Equiton, the building’s owner, stated that the increase was necessary to cover maintenance costs and improve the resident experience. However, tenant advocates argue that such increases should be banned and that landlords should explore government programs for energy retrofitting instead.
Tenant advocates in San Pablo have submitted over 1,500 signatures to the city, initiating a ballot measure that aims to implement rent control and enhance renter protections. This development is part of a larger trend in the Bay Area, where similar ballot box campaigns have been launched by renter and landlord groups in Berkeley, Concord, Redwood City, Pittsburg, and Larkspur. These initiatives follow the expiration of pandemic eviction moratoriums and rental assistance programs, leaving many residents facing affordability challenges amid the region’s astronomical housing costs.
