re rent controls
New York City has had rent control legislation in place at least since WWII, and rumour has it that developers there are still putting up the occasional building.   An important component of the NYC development strategy that I have yet to hear of being considered for Toronto and other major Canadian cities, is that for many new development projects (condos, high-end rentals, etc.), NYC requires the developers to build a percentage of low rent units incorporated into the main project.  These often have their own separate entrance/lobby - but still, they are adding to the supply of affordable accommodation for those who need it.