New Poll Suggests Support for Local-Option Rent Control
A new poll of Massachusetts voters suggests some may support the return of rent control, so long as it’s not a statewide mandate.
Is Wu’s Rent Control Panel Actually Listening?
The panel crafting Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s promised “rent stabilization” proposal is telling members of the public to not argue about the merits of rent control, only how to implement it.
Boston Landlords Give City Earful at Rent Control Listening Session
If Boston is going to reintroduce a rent control regime, it needs to exempt small landlords, particularly those who keep their rents substantially below market-rate, landlords from across the city told officials at a listening session Thursday.
What Does Healey Really Support?
The front-runner in the race for governor wants to have her cake and eat it too when it comes to rent control – an idea with the potential to shut down housing production in Greater Boston.
Healey Tells Biz Leaders She’ll Back Housing Production, Rent Control
Speaking to a Seaport District ballroom packed with Greater Boston’s business elite this morning, gubernatorial front-runner Maura Healey said she would back local rent control measures and make housing production a focus of her administration if she wins in November.
Dem Delegates Endorse Healey, Qualify Chang-Díaz For Ballot
Massachusetts Democrats on Saturday afternoon endorsed Maura Healey’s quest to move from the attorney general’s office to the governor’s suite but also put Sonia Chang-Díaz on the September primary ballot, ensuring that Healey will have some intraparty competition before she could turn her full attention to any Republican opponents.
Boston Rent Control Debate Needs a Dose of Reality
It’s hard to say who is more grating to listen to: the angry landlords bristling with resentment, or the self-righteous activists who highhandedly dismiss opponents as plants for cynical corporate interests.
Healey Backs Local Rent Control Bills
Attorney General Maura Healey supports local-option rent control bills, her gubernatorial campaign spokesperson said, after Healey told GBH News’ “Boston Public Radio” program that she did not think rent control bills were a solution to the area’s high – and rising – rents.
GBAR Warns Econ Dev Bill Could Attract Rent Control Provision
Gov. Charlie Baker’s $3.5 billion economic development bill, traditionally seen as “must-pass” legislation, could potentially become a hot-button topic, a top real estate industry leader warned.
New Plan for Greater Boston Urges Renter Protections, Aid for Housing Developers
A new plan intended to offer a guide for Greater Boston policymakers over the coming years says renter protections and aid for homebuilders both need to be boosted if the state is to become equitable, sustainable and prosperous.
Time to Reassess Real Estate’s Political Strategy?
As rents soar and evictions loom, it may be time for the real estate industry to radically reassess its lobbying and public relations strategy. For unless something changes drastically in the housing market, rent control is headed for a comeback.
Rents Skyrocketing, Vacancies Nil but New Apartments Illegal
Time and again people have advocated to bring rent control back. With the housing crisis back to where it was before the pandemic, they will do it again if we are not responsive.
Mass. Can Unlock New Housing but Must Reject Rent Control
For the first time in many years, housing production policy in Massachusetts is moving in the right direction. Now, we need to double down on policies that work, not adopt policies counterproductive to housing production.
Tough Time for Renters, Dilemma for Legislators
It’s a tough time to be a renter in Massachusetts, and there’s no question something needs to be done, and soon. But it’s not clear there are many good compromises in the offing on Beacon Hill.
Beacon Hill Battles Over Renter Rights
The pandemic has cast a spotlight on the precious living situation of so many people in Renter Nation, from surging rents to evictions. Now, legislators are debating a range of bills from renters’ right of first refusal to changes in who oversees real estate agents’ licenses.
New Poll Shows State Closely Divided on Rent Control
A new poll says nearly half of all Massachusetts voters and fully half of independents oppose a proposal that would open the door to municipal rent control ordinances.
Rent Control Proposals Get Marathon Beacon Hill Hearing
Interest in some form of restrictions on rent growth is running high among Greater Boston municipal officials, even as real estate industry figures say the idea will hurt the state’s ability to build enough housing to meet demand.
Wu Floats Rent Control 2.0 in Baker Meeting
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Tuesday that she and Gov. Charlie Baker spoke last week during their face-to-face meeting about rent control.
Baker Leaves Door Cracked to Rent Control
Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that he would “probably not” sign a law reviving rent control if the legislature were to send one to his desk.
Realtors Offer Legislators Insight into the Issues
This year on Realtor Day on Beacon Hill, the strength of our collective involvement will be on display via remote platforms as we head into what we hope is the home stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic.
