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Comment

The outrageous rent increases that I have seen reported in many markets around the country can only be seen as rent gouging. As high as inflation has been, these increases are way out of whack with inflation numbers. Tenants, who often have no alternatives, need to be protected from such patent profiteering and greed, as well as a host of other abuses. I urge you to adopt a rule that is maximally protective of tenants and that, at a minimum, requires that landlords that receive federal funds must limit the frequency and amount of rent increases; are prohibited from evicting tenants without good cause; are prohibited from discriminating against tenants based on race, religion, sexual preference or expression, source of rent payments (i.e., vouchers); and that ensures tenants' right to organize. Standardized, mandatory leases that incorporate these provisions and inform tenants of their rights would be a great way to ensure that tenants have legal recourse if their rights are violated. This is important not only for the individuals whose lives are impacted, but because this is another way in which out society is being divided, with a permanent, exploited underclass being created. If democracy is to be preserved, we need to lessen that gap between the haves and have nots, not allow it to be exacerbated!