"With an eye on New York City voters who favored housing affordability in this month's mayoral election, Massachusetts housing advocates are optimistic they can win at the ballot box next year with statewide rent control. The coalition group Homes for All Massachusetts collected more than enough signatures to place a local option rent control measure on next year's ballot. Real estate groups and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu oppose the initiative, setting up a potentially intense battle over the proposal."
"The campaign's rapid signature-gathering highlights urgent concerns about rent increases, displacement, and the broader challenge of maintaining economic diversity in communities. Everywhere we went, we heard about how high rents are displacing workers and seniors from our communities, forcing people to work multiple jobs just to pay the rent, and making it impossible for young families to save money to achieve the dream of owning a home, the coalition said on social media about its recent win."
Massachusetts coalition Homes for All Massachusetts gathered more than enough signatures to place a local option rent control measure on next year's ballot. The initiative faces opposition from real estate groups and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, setting up a potentially intense campaign. The effort reflects rising voter pressure for direct intervention in housing affordability as rents increase, causing displacement and threatening economic diversity. Rapid signature-gathering underscores urgency and may inspire similar ballot efforts in other states where legislative paths have stalled. New York's election of Zohran Mamdani and his pledge to expand rent stabilization exemplifies shifting political dynamics. The coalition previously failed to qualify in 2023.
Read at www.housingwire.com
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