Rent Control Bill Compromise Is Bad for Tenants
Source: Easthampton Tenants Union | June 15th 2026
The Easthampton Tenants Union notes growing recognition that Massachusetts needs rent stabilization, but we are deeply concerned about the concessions contained in the proposed compromise to Bill S1447.
The original bill would have established meaningful protections against excessive rent increases while providing reasonable exemptions for small owner-occupied properties and new construction. The compromise weakens those protections by doubling the allowable rent increase to 10% for municipalities that opt in and extending the exemption for new construction from 10 years to 15 years. If it passes, it would supersede the pending ballot initiative.
The ballot initiative would provide stronger protections and has a 69% approval rating among residents across the state. Along with other organizations and unions, the Easthampton Tenants Union has been working hard on public outreach and signature collection to get the question on the ballot in November.Â
The ETU membership voted to not support the bill compromise because we believe it’s a bad deal for tenants. In addition, the negotiation process that led to the compromise was not inclusive or transparent. Those involved in the process may have presumed our consent, but they don’t have it.Â
We are facing a national housing crisis. Tenants need strong, universal protections that prevent displacement and provide stability for working families. A policy that allows rents to rise by up to 10% annually, leaves protections up to local political battles, and excludes new developments for a decade and a half falls far short of what tenants need.
We urge lawmakers and housing advocates to strengthen, not weaken, tenant protections and to preserve the core principles that made the original rent stabilization proposal worthy of support.
The Easthampton Tenants Union is a tenant-led organization focused on housing justice, tenant organizing, political education, and building collective power for renters and working-class residents in Easthampton and across the region.
