I live in Somerville, MA, which does not have rent control. My rent has gone up by at least 10% every year for the past 4 years. This is not sustainable.
No, it isn't. Unless inflation is at least 10% as well - and wages keep up.
But imagine if Somerville did have rent control. The minority of units on the market would have rents go up by much, much more than 10% a year, and people who need a new place would be screwed. This is what's happened in SF.