“the problem goes beyond new construction, arguing that government limits on rents can reduce the number of apartments available and discourage investment in existing properties.

“this growing gap is leaving some building owners increasingly unable to cover basic operating expenses, which can lead to deferred maintenance and reduced investment in the city’s existing housing stock.

“And not only do you end up with fewer housing units available, but the quality of those units consistently goes down as well,

“Economists, whether they are on the right or on the left, essentially are in universal agreement, that when the government implements price controls in the rental market, you end up with housing shortages,

“People who are looking for apartments can't find apartments,

“slowly but surely, landlords have less to invest in their properties.

“rent increases on rent-stabilized apartments have failed to keep pace with inflation for years, even as the costs of maintaining buildings have continued to rise

“More and more,