Rent control in Georgia?

The Atlanta City Council this week submitted a request to the state legislature asking them to repeal the state’s prohibition on rent controls.  Citing rising housing costs, the Atlanta officials hope that allowing for rent control might lead to more affordable housing within city limits.  However, 81% of economists agree that rent control is a bad policy, one that decreases stock of rental units, driving the average price up not down, and actually further fuels gentrification rather than limiting it.  With a legislature that figures to be very reluctant to institute such a policy, the bid for rent control in Atlanta is SINKING…