New building and renovation commenced almost immediately. By 1998, housing construction in Cambridge was up 50 percent. The result was a broadening of the property tax base that led to tax cuts for homeowners. But a study of those who were forced to move by the higher rents found that very few were actually poor. Most had incomes similar to those who were living in non-rent controlled units.
Rent control is a cancer.
The District should move as quickly as possible to eliminate it. The Nathan report shows that the impact on rents will be very modest, but the benefits for the city could be enormous. This is a no-brainer.