Attorneys Christopher Cunio and Aidan Gross argue that Massachusetts’ contentious MBTA Communities Act – intended to encourage housing near public transit statewide – represents a milestone in tackling the state’s housing crisis but requires “teeth,” i.e., better enforcement mechanisms.
Greg Vasil, CEO of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, highlights the steps taken in Brookline, Newton and other local jurisdictions to reform zoning laws to create much-needed housing. Vasil also offered a series of recommendations for state lawmakers to consider, including strengthening a local option law that allows communities to raise funds for affordable … Continued
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed skepticism over rent control, noting that addressing housing shortage is the most effective way to tackle affordability. “We lower rents by building more housing,” Healey stated. “More housing means more supply, means lowering of costs.” She noted that she supports a community’s right to make decisions around rent control for … Continued
The Boston Herald editorial board offered a strong argument against rent control, suggesting that the city of Boston would be better served focusing on policies to spur housing development. With respect to rent control, the editorial board wrote, “Would landlords’ costs be capped as well, or are they expected to eat the cost of stagnant … Continued
Yesterday, Massachusetts state lawmakers heard hours of testimony for and against several proposals to lift the state’s ban on rent control.
An effort to place a rent control question on the 2024 ballot collapsed, falling far short of the nearly 75,000 signatures needed to proceed. State Rep. Mike Connolly, who led the effort, plans to push to eliminate statewide rent control preemption through legislative channels, though state lawmakers have resisted such an approach in past years. … Continued
Massachusetts voters see the high cost of housing as a top concern, according to a recent UMass Amherst poll. But the poll also revealed that Massachusetts voters are latching on to false solutions to the state’s housing problems.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey released a package of sweeping housing reforms for legislative consideration.
“Do we bring it up every two years? There’s other things we can talk about with regard to housing. Why are we letting this take up oxygen?” Massachusetts House Majority Leader Mike Moran (D-Brighton) said in a recent news report.
In many geographies where artificial caps on rent exist, housing underdevelopment has resulted. Given its failed history, it comes as no surprise that the passage of rent control in St. Paul yielded immediate negative consequences.
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