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# The Cost of Freezing the Rent
- URL: https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/alex-armlovich-interview-rent-freeze/
- Published: 2026-04-22T16:37:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-22T16:37:55.000Z
- Description: The limits and distortions of Mamdani’s core housing cost control strategy
- Author: Jamie Rubin
- Tags: Podcast, Housing, City Government

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*Freezing the rent sounds simple. Alex Armlovich, one of the sharpest housing policy minds in the country, explains why it isn't — and why that doesn't mean it's wrong. Jamie and Alex, a fellow at the Niskanen Center and program officer at Coefficient Giving, dig into what the Rent Guidelines Board actually does, what happens to buildings when operating costs outpace revenue, and what a "physical equity extractor" is — and why you don't want one buying your building.*

*You can listen to this episode on* [*Apple Podcasts*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cost-of-freezing-the-rent/id1794619189?i=1000762999029&ref=vitalcitynyc.org) *or* [*Spotify*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KcXnWyPItENAUFQUiaDP8?ref=vitalcitynyc.org)*.*