Dr. Rental Housing's Reality Check

Diagnosing the myths and realities of rental housing

1. Why this, why now

For years, Oakland, Alameda County, and California have layered on housing regulations: rent control, tenant protections, eviction moratoriums, relocation fees, statewide rent caps, and more. Each of these was introduced with good intentions — but the reality is that many of them have backfired, making housing less affordable, less available, and harder to sustain for both tenants and housing providers.

I’ve seen these impacts firsthand as a housing provider and as Board Member/Treasurer of the East Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA). Too often, the voices of small, local providers — the ones who make up the majority of affordable rental housing — are drowned out. And too often, the unintended consequences of these policies go unreported.

That’s why I’m launching Dr. Rental Housing: to tell the truth about rental housing, expose myths, and show the real impacts of policy on the ground.

2. What kind of community this will be

This isn’t just a newsletter. It’s meant to be a community of truth-seekers and problem-solvers who care about housing. Whether you’re a housing provider, renter, policymaker, or simply a concerned neighbor, you’ll find clear analysis here — stripped of the politics, rooted in real experience, and always focused on outcomes, not intentions.

I want to build a space where readers can learn, question, and share their own experiences with housing policy. By bringing those voices together, we can build a stronger case for balanced, effective reforms.

3. What to Expect

Here’s how this space will work:

• Weekly articles: Three times a week, I’ll publish each part of an 18-part series breaking down a specific rent control or tenant protection policy.

• Policy breakdowns: Every post will follow a simple format — Who it was supposed to benefit, how it works in practice, and the unintended consequences.

• Examples and stories: I’ll share real scenarios from Oakland, Alameda County, and California that show the human side of these policies.

• Community conversation: Free subscribers will get access to the full weekly series. Paid subscribers (if I open that option later) may receive bonus content like Q&A sessions, deep-dive reports, and live discussions.

4. Subscribe and Share

If you care about housing, I invite you to subscribe and join this conversation. The more voices we have, the more powerful our impact can be.

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