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> The alternative proposed by the article is basically : let it unregulated, the market will provide. Which is how it was before. Was the problem solved? No. S

> The alternative proposed by the article is basically : let it unregulated, the market will provide. Which is how it was before. Was the problem solved? No. Sigh. Here's what the article actually says: > The right answer to that shortage would be to increase supply — for instance, by cutting red tape in zoning and construction. That's an alternative reform proposal, not going back to how things were before. I think it would work better than rent control, because increasing supply is better than haggling over fixed supply. Edit: another possible solution is a land value tax. It's non-distortionary (doesn't lead landlords to reduce or increase supply) and prevents a lot of rent increase.

cassepipe 6y ago
So increase offer by deregulating even more? Zoning and urban policies actually have a purpose : A nice city to live in And I am ready to bet that red tape has been cut again and again everywhere without solving the problem. Sorry for misrepresenting the article reform proposal but it did not strike me as a very innovative solution. More like more of the same.
- cousin_it 6y ago
  Shrug. If two million people want to live in a city which has room only for a million, something has to give. Rent control doesn't increase housing. You must either increase housing somehow, or leave a million people unhappy. If you don't mind the other million, and only care about people already living in the city, you can make it honest by introducing a city-wide Tenant Permit issued only to current tenants. Rents stabilize due to fixed demand, people aren't tied to one apartment, and landlords are incentivized to offer better service. It has all the benefits of your plan and none of the drawbacks, right?
brutusborn 6y ago
It frustrates me to no end that on threads like these, comments on Georgist land-value taxes are buried so deeply. I wonder why they are not more widely recognised or discussed?
- cassepipe 6y ago
  Georgist land-value taxes ?

cassepipe 6y ago

So increase offer by deregulating even more? Zoning and urban policies actually have a purpose : A nice city to live in And I am ready to bet that red tape has been cut again and again everywhere without solving the problem. Sorry for misrepresenting the article reform proposal but it did not strike me as a very innovative solution. More like more of the same.

cousin_it 6y ago
Shrug. If two million people want to live in a city which has room only for a million, something has to give. Rent control doesn't increase housing. You must either increase housing somehow, or leave a million people unhappy. If you don't mind the other million, and only care about people already living in the city, you can make it honest by introducing a city-wide Tenant Permit issued only to current tenants. Rents stabilize due to fixed demand, people aren't tied to one apartment, and landlords are incentivized to offer better service. It has all the benefits of your plan and none of the drawbacks, right?

brutusborn 6y ago

It frustrates me to no end that on threads like these, comments on Georgist land-value taxes are buried so deeply. I wonder why they are not more widely recognised or discussed?

cassepipe 6y ago
Georgist land-value taxes ?