Rent caps prevent displacement
Rent caps prevent families from being forced out of communities because of rising rents, promoting neighbourhood and community diversity.
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Context
As prices increase, existing low-income tenants (particularly minorities) are often forced out of desirable areas and into areas further out of the city. Rent caps prevent established families from being forced out of areas with rapidly rising property and rental prices.
The Argument
Rent caps reduce renter mobility by around 20%. This means that families and communities that are established in a location do not have to move to another rental property and community as often as they would if rents were determined by the market alone.[1]
Minority communities, who tend to be low-income, are disproportionately affected by displacement. They are often forced to leave communities they have lived in for decades because gentrification has pushed rents up. In this regard, rent caps are a valuable tool for preserving minority housing rights and neighbourhood racial, cultural and economic diversity.
Counter arguments
Renter displacement is part of the natural process of improving urban living spaces. As rents increase and higher earners enter a location, local businesses do better and the local community receives higher revenue. With this revenue, they are able to provide better public services, improve local amenities, and raise the quality of life for everyone in the city.
Proponents
Framing
Everybody has the right to remain in the location where they have built community capital (friends, school connections, community affiliations etc.) for as long as they feel inclined. They should not be forced out by any external forces, including price hikes.
Diversity and the reduction of homogeneity is positive.
Premises
[P1] Rent caps prevent rapid rent increases.
[P1] Therefore, people are not forced out of areas because of rising rents.
[P3] Therefore, rent caps are a good idea because they prevent displacement.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P3] Renter displacement allows cities to improve and communities to get better. Therefore, rent caps are not a good idea because they prevent displacement.