As a renter, I want a stable, sustainable city. I understand why rent stabilization is being considered, but a policy meant to protect renters shouldn’t end up hurting future ones. Before moving forward, we need to ask the hard questions:
• Today’s Protection: If we protect current renters, but market rents for new apartments increase to compensate, are we accidentally closing the door on the next generation of Santa Barbarians?
• Mobility: If stabilized rent is the only thing making a home affordable, will we end up with “empty nesters” stuck in three-bedrooms and young families crammed into studios because neither can afford to move?…