Higher Rents & Less Affordable Housing Due to Rent Control (ETPA)

OSSINING, NY – Rent Control-ETPA, recently proposed by the Village of Ossining as a way to keep rents down -- has actually been proven to jack them up, according to a number of significant studies in cities and states throughout the U.S. In fact, in a recent Stanford University study, researchers found that rent control is beneficial for only the tenants who live in rent-controlled units -- but those benefits are never shared by the rest of the community. In fact, reports show that Rent Control-ETPA instead leads to a reduction in the overall number of rental units on the market, and thereby drives prices up and worsens the affordability crisis.

The studies prove that rent control inevitably leads to dilapidated units, deferred maintenance, an overall reduction of the rental housing inventory, and unnecessary friction in an otherwise good owner-tenant relationship. The owners either take their properties off the rental market or convert the units to condos, or even tear their buildings down to renovate so that the building becomes “new construction” and is exempt from rent control rules.

The overriding conclusion is that Rent Control-ETPA is not the way to solve the problem of affordable housing and lower rents. Instead, many experts suggest looking into other possibilities including issuing a tax credit or a subsidy that protects low- and middle-income families against large rent increases.

The Village of Ossining is known for its diverse community and sensitivity to affordable rents and affordable housing. Ossining has been named one of the “Best Places to Live” in Westchester by Westchester Magazine, which described Ossining as “smart folks with vision who are seeking Rivertown digs with cultural diversity and affordable prices are flocking to Ossining’s Old Village.”

There are currently four subsidized apartment complexes in Ossining, containing 242 affordable apartments for rent that are based on income with about 229 apartments that set rent based on income.

In a strong wave of opposition to the Ossining Village Board’s recently proposed Rent Control-ETPA policy, a rapidly growing number of homeowners, building owners and renters have formed the group, Ossining Owners, Renters & Neighbors United. They state: “Rent Control-ETPA equates to crushing regulations that lead to true unfairness in Ossining’s housing market and guarantees that the reverse effect will happen regarding the availability of affordable housing for those who are in need.” Rent Control-ETPA they say, is also a sure way to create significant tax increases for every household and will inevitably hurt every resident at home, in the business community, and throughout the Ossining Union Free School District, if enacted.

The group urges every resident and business owner to voice their opposition to the proposed ETPA, which will lead to less affordable housing and higher rents. All should go to http://www.stopetpa.org to fill out an automatic form that submits an email opposing ETPA to the Trustees and the Mayor and forwards to an online petition to “Stop Ossining ETPA”https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-ossining-etpa.

For more information and to be added to the email list for updates, please send a note to stop.ossiningetpa@gmail.com and Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OssingOwnersRentersandNeighborsUnited/