Everyone seems to agree that homelessness is the most urgent problem facing the county and the state. Yet there is a solution that is not being talked about and I don’t know why. The solution is: rent control or rent stabilization.

Rents have skyrocketed over the last few years, causing the homeless population to explode. Tenants desperately need protection from excessive rental rate increases. This will not only help curb the existing homelessness problem but will help prevent new waves of more homelessness.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel as rent regulation programs have existed in various U.S. municipalities for decades. So-called “affordable” homes cannot be built fast enough. Rent control is a simple solution that does not require the time-consuming and expensive process of building affordable houses and all the infrastructure they require.

Recent research shows that since 2008 over half the homes sold on Maui were sold to people who do not live here. That means millions of dollars in rent money leaving this island every year.

It also means some form of rent control or stabilization would keep more money here on Maui while helping to solve the urgent problem of homelessness.

Why not consider rent regulation?

Debra Greene

Kihei