Bring rent control back to Boston

[inthebrain]

Shouldnt we put this issue on the ticket for the Dem party in Boston.

Seriously, too many people around here have been feeling the pinch for the last ten years. I supppose some will preach to us all the benefits of gentrification but I really dont buy those arguments. I take a look at Kenmore square and I want to puke.

Rents have gotten ridiculous in this city and salaries certainly havent caught up. Too many blue collar workers have been priced out and its spread far beyond the burbs now.

Personally, I think this is one area where Democrats have become vulnerable in this state. Working class people need a democratic party that is active taking care of thier interests. I'm sick and tired of seeing Menino and his photo ops every time they break ground on a new building for BU.

[KarenInMA]

1. Rents have stabalized in the past few years,

over all in this city.

The housing market is crazy, you're right, but rent control won't help that, it will only lead to slumlords.

[inthebrain]

7. Are you saying there arent any slum lords left in the city?

Same people who were there when rent conrtol was in effect. Same slumlords, only this time they are much worse!!!

Talk a walk down Park Drive in the Fenway. There is a guy who owns the lower 140s. Tell me the free market works!!!!

Take a walk over to queensbury and look at the Copley Group apartments. They are renting closet sized studios in the $950-$1,150 range. If your making $30,000 a year that's more than half of your income after taxes!!!

Not to mention that my tax money went to subsidize the improvments that price people out!!!

Uh uh

I dont give a crap about the 1-2% of property owners in this city who will be upset by this. They've been living fat off the hog even with the so called housing slump. Meanwhile, the majority have gotten screwed.

The city is now a gentrified shithole as a result. Offering more section eight housing just increases the class conflict you see in places like Charlestown, where I happen to live.

[-..__...]

8. Well, that's a healthy attitude.

I don't give a crap about the 1-2% of property owners in this city who will be upset by this

(You're not originally from this area, are you?)

Back when the repeal rent control referendum was on the ballot, I enthusiastically supported it.

At the time I was a renter (still am, BTW), living in Boston, and not making that great a paycheck.

Also at the time we had the Mayor of Cambridge living in a rent controlled unit (and guess who was a big advocate of rent control).

A cousin of mine was next in line and waiting for a rent controlled unit that was previously occupied by a lawyer couple.

I can easily remember seeing flyers tacked up on telephone poles and bulletin boards offering $1,000 or more for a lead on a rent controlled apartment.

Why should any landlord (regardless whether they own a triple decker or 1,000 rental units), be required to foot the bill and provide discount housing?

One of the biggest laughs I got from that time period: there was a cover story running in the Boston Phoenix regarding rent control.

The writer was interviewing some goth type girl in Porter Square and wanted to know her opinion on the matter.

She had a few things to say about how it would change the uniqueness diversity and flavor of the area, but her comment that stuck most in my mind was "where else can I go and be a rebel". :eyes:

If you're not happy with the rental situation, then I suggest you do the same thing I did... move.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. Rents have stabilized or dropped over the past few years

it's a renter's market right now. I think extending section 8 housing and creating incentives for small property owners to rent to low-income folks would help.

You forget that small landlords like myself are hurt by rent control. My taxes have quadrupled over the past 10 years, and I've been unemployed too. I also charge below-market rents so I don't have turnover. Rent control would force small property owners into bankruptcy in some cases.

As someone who spent my childhood at the Rat in Kenmore Square, I'm disgusted by the gentrification also.

[inthebrain]

6. If you charge low market rents

Then rent control isnt going to kill you. Matter of fact, it won't effect you at all.

[TaleWgnDg]

3. You forget that there are many Democrats who also . . .

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You forget that there are many Democrats who also . . . own income producing residential property, i.e., "landlords." This is Massachusetts where most individuals are either Dems or not party affiliated. And, that goes for the most affluent towns to the low income towns and areas. Democratic Party association cuts across income strata in Massachusetts. No way will the Democratic Party cohesively stand for rent control!

In addition, rent control has proven to be synonymous with absentee landlord slum.






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[lotus]

4. It didn't work well before

There are better ways to help people in need of low-cost housing than to force property owners to subsidize the needy directly out of their own pockets. It really isn't fair, and like others pointed out it is common for landlords to also be a "little guy", owning 1 or not much more units.

Besides, I witnessed far too often these rent controlled apartments being lived in by really well-to-do people. Tenured college professors, for example. When I lived in Boston going to college there, the apartment I rented was not rent controlled, but my landlady herself was living in rent controlled housing ($200 a month!), and she owned 3 other units -- why not she just stay in one of her units???

To add insult to injury, she was one nasty bitch too.

[TaleWgnDg]

5. Hey, lotus . . .

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welcome to DU . . .


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