Massachusetts is once again at the center of a fierce housing debate as a proposed ballot measure seeks to cap rent increases across the state. Supporters argue rent control is necessary to protect tenants from skyrocketing housing costs, while opponents warn it could worsen the housing shortage and discourage new development.
Ballot Initiative on Rent Control
On September 3, Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified 44 potential ballot questions for the 2026 election, including “An Initiative Petition to Protect Tenants by Limiting Rent Increases.” The measure would cap annual rent increases at 5% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower.
The proposal would not apply to owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units or to newly built housing less than 10 years old. If it makes the ballot and passes, it would mark the state’s first rent control law since 1994.
Supporters Cite Housing Crisis
Homes for All Massachusetts, the group leading the petition, argues that the initiative is a direct response to one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. The state’s average rent is $2,914 per month, compared to the national average of $1,754.
Governor Maura Healey’s administration recently released a housing plan that calls for building or restoring 220,000 homes over the next decade. Advocates say rent control will give struggling tenants immediate relief while broader housing solutions take shape.
Opposition From Real Estate Groups
Real estate groups strongly oppose the proposal. The Greater Boston Real Estate Board labeled rent control “a disaster for Massachusetts,” warning it would reduce development incentives, shrink housing supply, and ultimately worsen affordability…