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[Analysis] National Rent Control? It’s Closer Than You Think. (www.youtube.com)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Athena5898@kbin.social to c/politics@kbin.social

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A historic wave of tenant organizing is on the verge of winning renter protections that would be attached to federal loans—affecting 1 in 4 apartments. But Greystar, Blackstone, and AvalonBay are spending millions to block it.

They're a part of a coalition of massive landlords, baks, and investors who are pooling resources to block rent control and renter protection policies.

One of the biggest landlord industry lobbying groups is called the National Multifamily Housing Council. That group has spent almost $10 million lobbying against rent control.

Despite this opposition, we're seeing one of the largest upticks in tenant organizing since the 1970s, as renters across the country face worsening housing crisis. Groups like KC Tenants are at the forefront of this movement, fighting to stop unfair rent hikes and corporate slumlords.

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[–] borkcorkedforks@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

Big if true and I'll only believe it when I see it in action. Given that this would affect the income of companies making bank on loose regulations I would expect a lot of lobbying and campaign contributions over it. Maybe they'll let enough regulation in to fuck over landlords with only a few properties.

We don't necessarily need rent control as much as we need controls on what companies can buy to turn into rental or temporary housing. These companies and investors have been buying up property that were residential housing to then turn into rentals or put it up on air b&b. That then reduces available properties for actual people and thus raises the cost of properties/rent. Sometimes they just sit on it or expect it to flip it with some minor updates but nothing costly for them. That also increases prices. Also what is needed is investment into building lower income housing rather than more "luxury apartments" which often just involve putting a fresh coat of paint in old units.

If there were more properties on the market there would be fewer renters and lower housing costs in general.