Rent Control on the Ballot: Revisiting a Failed Policy

Description

Petitioners have submitted signatures for a 2026 ballot question that would overturn a law passed by Massachusetts voters and impose one of the nation’s most restrictive and damaging statewide rent control agendas across all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. 

We’ve already been down this road. Massachusetts voters in 1994 banned rent control for a simple reason: it doesn’t work. After more than two decades of rent control, Massachusetts voters recognized the damage this policy did to our communities. This new proposal is a step back in time and will only worsen the current housing shortage. 

NAIOP Massachusetts members are invited to join an exclusive virtual briefing with Housing for Massachusetts, the lead committee fighting this harmful proposal. Attendees will learn more about the Question’s language, a summary of the ballot process, and a high-level overview of Housing for Massachusetts’ work to defeat rent control. 

We cannot let history repeat itself. We need real solutions for our housing crisis: not broken policies that have already failed. 

Speakers: 

• Tamara Small, CEO, NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association 
• Lynda Tocci, Principal, Dewey Square Group 
• Conor Yunits, Executive Vice President, Issues Management Group