Berlin backs five-year rent freeze amid housing pressure

[sandensea]

Berlin's left-wing government of Social Democratic Mayor Michael Müller has approved a plan to freeze rents in the German capital for the next five years.

Rents have risen sharply in the city and there have been rallies urging the authorities to keep housing affordable.

The plan is expected to become law in January. It could apply to 1.4 million properties, but not to social housing - regulated separately - or new builds.

The average monthly rent for a furnished Berlin flat is about €1,100 (£983; $1,232).

Berlin rents however rose by 7% in the first quarter of this year, and in the past decade rents have doubled as the booming city has become a magnet for job seekers.

At: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48677393

Berlin's Social Democratic Mayor Michael Müller: Cohesiveness counts.

[BigmanPigman]

1. I wonder if that would work here...

Rents are about the same for a one bedroom where I live. Most people can't afford to buy a home without working several jobs and/or living with others.

[sandensea]

2. I think it could

Except, of course and as you know, the developer and landlord lobbies are so powerful in most cities, that these kinds of reforms are very few and far between.

And not just in the U.S.

You occasionally hear of similar bills/ordinances almost passing in this city and that country - and then at the last minute being defeated "due to concerns that it would discourage construction."

Then construction declines anyway. Oh, well.

[BigmanPigman]

3. We seem to be passing bills or initiatives on

the ballot each year and it does well but then nothing changes. Something happens in between signing petitions, voting for proposed legislation and then absolutely nothing happens after it passes. Does it need to be a city, state or federal issue for real change?

[sandensea]

4. +1

Money talks.

And developer/landlord money in particular, since their very business model involves that most essential of human needs: shelter.

In that sense, they're a little like the Big Pharma lobby: Your money, or your life.