In return, the landlord agrees to follow Section 8 rent guidelines.

However, he said he could not do it under the rent guidelines of $5 to $7 a square foot.

But city officials, building owners and tenants are not certain how the process of setting rent guidelines will proceed.

Direct intrusion by a Mayor into the setting of rent guidelines is a departure.

It will detail its position at a hearing today before the city's Rent Guidelines Board.

Data collection and analysis have played little role in the Rent Guidelines Board's deliberations.

"The Rent Guidelines Board has been asleep at the wheel."

It takes into account fluctuations in many operating costs, from water bills to taxes to labor, in setting rent guidelines.

Thus the Rent Guidelines Board must have a publicly announced proposal before it can hold a public hearing.

Speakers, who have three minutes, should register in advance by calling the Rent Guidelines Board at 349-2262.