Opponents of a proposed statewide rent control measure in Massachusetts have filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Judicial Court to prevent it from appearing on the November ballot. The lawsuit, brought by the Housing for Massachusetts coalition, cites six issues that they claim disqualify the measure. If passed, the initiative would implement one of the strictest rent caps in the country, limiting increases to either the annual change in the Consumer Price Index or 5%, whichever is lower. This proposal has been described as the "strictest statewide rent control policy in the US."
The lawsuit names Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Secretary of State William Galvin as defendants in their official capacities. The opponents argue that the ballot question not only repeals the 1994 ban on rent control but also eliminates property owners' rights to compensation for their private property, conflicting with the state Declaration of Rights. They are asking the court to declare the ballot initiative invalid, reject the Attorney General's certification, and block Galvin from placing it on the ballot.
Proponents of the initiative, led by Homes for All, view it as a crucial solution for the unaffordable rental market in Massachusetts. However, a split exists among progressives regarding a statewide mandate versus a local option. Despite the legal challenge, a powerful real estate group, NAIOP Massachusetts, has indicated a willingness to compromise, suggesting a local option for rent stabilization with a higher cap of 5% plus inflation (up to 10%), longer exemptions for new construction (30 years), and required renewal votes every 10 years. Governor Maura Healey has also expressed support for a compromise to avoid a ballot fight, advocating for a plan that could bring lower rents and more homes to the market.
