"Next fall, Massachusetts voters could be presented with the option to enact rent control across the state. However, even placing that question before voters requires a long process and there are multiple hurdles yet to clear. This week, Boston City Council members briefly debated a resolution expressing support for that ballot measure. But further discussion and a vote were blocked when one councilor objected."
"Housing advocates are pushing the ballot measure, which would tie annual rent increases across the state to cost of living increases, with a hard annual cap of 5%. There would be some exemptions, including for owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units and newly constructed buildings during their first 10 years of existence. The process behind that proposed ballot measure was recently allowed to proceed by Attorney General Andrea Campbell."
Massachusetts voters could see a statewide rent control option on the 2026 ballot, but placing the question requires a lengthy process and multiple legal and logistical hurdles. Boston City Council briefly debated a resolution expressing support for the ballot measure, but further discussion and a vote were blocked when one councilor objected. Councilor Henry Santana filed the resolution and said putting rent control back on the ballot would allow current Bostonians at risk of displacement and housing insecurity to show support or opposition. Advocates propose tying annual rent increases to cost-of-living with a 5% cap and several exemptions. The Attorney General allowed the petition to proceed, and advocates must now collect about 75,000 signatures.
Read at Boston.com
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