Under pressure from tenants who want New York's vacancy decontrol law repealed, Governor Patterson weighs in, proposing a raise in the threshold for taking apartments out of rent control. While State Housing Commissioner Brian Lawler believes a balance has been struck, critics say that the bill will do nothing to preserve affordable housing. more>

If the city government devoted as much energy to enforcing the laws against rent-gouging as it does to arresting 40,000 pot-smokers a year, New Yorkers would have a much easier time finding housing they can afford. more>

In an attempt to curtail rent-gouging by landlords leaving the Mitchell-Lama program, the state’s housing agency has proposed eliminating a loophole in the law the “unique or peculiar circumstances” provision – which owners have used to escape rent regulations. more>