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Those attacking rent control are cynically protecting their pockets.

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The Tampa Bay metro area has seen a 24% increase in rents in the last year, pricing many out of their homes and literally onto the streets.

Working families simply cannot afford this massive jump in prices, as a majority of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This rapid increase in rent can be explained very clearly: maintaining/increasing profit margins. Over the last year, many landlords have had to contend with some small protections for renters in the form of eviction moratoriums and money from the federal government to pay back-rent. This has meant that they haven’t been able to operate as freely as they usually do, and after these protections have been lifted, we’re seeing higher rents than ever. Landlords are evicting folks, then raising rent, all in the name of their profit margin.

A rent freeze is the least we can do to stop the bleeding of the working class. Capping rent to 30% of a tenant’s income would be ever better. These are short term solutions to the problem however.

We must ensure housing is a human right for everyone in the Tampa Bay area. Our local governments have the ability and the resources to do so, but those on city council often fall to the desires of developers rather than the needs of the people they serve. We have no need for developers who create luxury housing for the rich.

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