Renters Rights Measures Advance in US Local Elections

Housing costs have risen across the United States in recent years while tenant rights organizers report growing support for rent control and related policies in local elections. These measures are appearing on ballots and in campaigns for city council, mayor and other offices.

In Massachusetts a proposed ballot question could overturn the state's three-decade ban on rent control and cap annual increases at 5 percent. A coalition of housing, faith and labor groups gathered more than 124000 signatures within two months, exceeding the requirement to place the measure before voters in November.

The coalition joined forces last year and recruited volunteers to support the effort. A spokesperson for the group said they are proud to be part of the national movement for rent control and tenant protections. Tenant rights organizers said policies previously considered too extreme have become central to some political campaigns.

The term renter has become an identity for candidates in races for local office and Congress.

Providence the median rent has increased 40 percent since 2020. A coalition of tenant advocacy groups mobilized hundreds of residents to testify at public hearings in support of rent stabilization. The city council approved an ordinance in early April to limit annual rent increases to 4 percent in most apartment buildings.

The mayor vetoed the measure, stating that it would depress housing construction and property values. Organizers said they will continue efforts to override the veto. The group has endorsed a renter and state assembly member in the September mayoral primary who said he would sign a rent stabilization ordinance.