The Daily Dirt: Kingston’s housing survey shakes up rent control debate 

Most people don’t think of an “emergency” as a permanent condition. Yet the “housing emergencies” that triggered rent stabilization in New York City and other localities in the state have never ended. Most have lasted for decades. Until now. Kingston just ran its second housing survey and found a 7 percent vacancy rate, up from 1.6 percent in its initial survey. Under state law, rent stabilization is not allowed if the rate is above 5 percent. Fans of rent control were incredulous — and outraged. Sarahana Shrestha, the Hudson Valley’s socialist Assembly member, called it “absolute nonsense.” But the study […]This article originally appeared on The Real Deal. Click here to read the full story.