"Rents are astronomically high right now." We need rent control, not everyone who lives in Silicon Valley enjoy the median income rents are based upon. Seriously, the 2012 BMR (Below Market Rate)rental for a one bedroom apartment in Sunnyvale is not to exceed $1445. I'm guessing you need to earn between 40K-52K a year ($20-$25 per hour)to qualify to rent a unit at that price! Imagine being on a fixed income, or a single parent, or a young adult trying to make it on their own, or just the average citizen who is not employed in the High Tech Industry. Something has to give...