Approximately half of D.C.'s apartment units are categorized under #rentcontrol, which restricts the amount landlords are permitted to increase rent each year. However, tenant advocates say that D.C.'s rent control law has too many loopholes that landowners can abuse, making it ineffective at fully protecting renters from steep rent hikes.

Rent control remains a controversial housing policy both nationally and locally. Advocates and economists are in sharp disagreement over whether it promotes affordability or worsens the #housing shortage that has already raised prices and forced countless residents out of their homes.

Randi Marshall, vice president of government affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, has said that "in order to be responsive to how we address skyrocketing rents, we need to talk more comprehensively about many tools, not just one tool." 

Some people believe that D.C. should bring more units under rent control and work on eliminating various exemptions that landlords have used to get around the rules. They say that many people cannot afford the soaring price of housing in D.C., and controlling the amount rents can be increased could help keep thousands of renters in their homes.

Opponents contend that rent control makes it impossible for owners to collect enough rent to maintain their properties and still make money from their investments. They believe the city should fund cheaper housing instead of forcing landlords to limit rent increases. Affordable housing solutions would be ideal in their opinion because this would make it possible to avoid imposing high costs on apartment owners.

So the question for debate is, should Washington, DC maintain their rent control guidelines or create more affordable housing?