This article explores rent control measures in New York, encampment criminalization in Los Angeles, and federal funding for homelessness prevention. Kingston, New York, was the first city in the upstate region to implement rent control after its Common Council voted 7-1 to declare a housing emergency, citing a vacancy rate of 1.57%. This decision was made possible by the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which extended rent control authority beyond New York City and its suburbs to municipalities with low vacancy rates. Rent protections covered approximately 1200 units in buildings with six or more units built before 1974. Kingston will establish a rent guidelines board to oversee permissible rent increases. The move was motivated by a 30% increase in home prices during the pandemic, fueled by migration from New York City. 

The Los Angeles City Council voted 11-3 to expand the prohibition on homeless encampments near sensitive locations such as schools, libraries, public parks, and daycare centers. This amendment to Section 41.18 of the city code added a 500-foot buffer zone around these areas, extending the ban beyond the existing restrictions near highways, building entrances, fire hydrants, and within 1,000 feet of homeless shelters. The revised ordinance increased the areas where encampments are prohibited, covering approximately 20% of Los Angeles.

HUD has announced an increase in competitive grants to states for addressing homelessness, totaling $2.8 billion for fiscal year 2022, up from $2.6 billion in the previous year. This funding, separate from a recent $365 million allocation targeting unsheltered homelessness, is channeled through local Continuums of Care, entities that coordinate homeless services at various levels. Criteria for grant awards under the Biden administration emphasize Housing First approaches, initiatives addressing racial disparities in homelessness, and efforts to reduce both unsheltered homelessness and the criminalization of homelessness.