SCAPEGOATING RENT CONTROL - MASKING THE CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS

While many analysts contend that a shortage of affordable housing is a principal cause of homelessness, one recent well-publicized study argues that housing shortages themselves—and hence homelessness—are ultimately the result of ill-conceived local rent controls. This study, conducted by William Tucker, has been widely cited by opponents of rent control as a justification for limiting the ability of localities to regulate rents. The research presented in this article is a re-analysis of Tucker's data that corrects for methodological shortcomings in the original analysis. The research shows that there is no evidence to support Tucker's conclusion that rent control causes homelessness. © American Planning Association Chicago, IL.