Chambers join growing list of community leaders and local elected officials opposed to ballot question that would impact every city and town in Massachusetts
BOSTON, MA – February 19, 2026 – The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce this week joined Housing for Massachusetts, the coalition opposing a proposed ballot question that would mandate rent control in every community throughout the state. The two Chambers, which together represent more than 3,000 employers of all sizes across Massachusetts, are raising early concerns about the question’s impact on housing creation and investment in the Commonwealth.
“Unfortunately, with a rent control question on the ballot, we are already seeing housing projects delayed because of hesitant investors. It does not make financial sense for investors to build the amount of housing we need in Massachusetts under these circumstances. Rent control is a terrible idea,” said James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “Given the urgency of the issue, we need to foster an environment where developers see our region as a place to build and grow, rather than a place to avoid because of a misguided ballot question.”
Massachusetts desperately needs to build more housing to lower costs and increase access, which includes constructing private, public, and rental housing of all types and for all incomes. Instead of alleviating the housing crisis, the proposed ballot question would slow down construction and hinder the progress of the Affordable Homes Act. Also, the proposed measure implements a one-size-fits-all policy across the state, and does not allow communities to opt-out, even if local voters reject it in November. The limited exemptions in the measure mean that virtually every privately owned rental property in the state would eventually be controlled, including single family homes, condos, and two and three families that are not owner occupied
“Applying the same restrictions to an apartment tower owner in Somerville and a two-family owner in Shrewsbury is bad policy that will only make things worse for businesses and employees in Central Massachusetts,” said Tim Murray, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This ballot question will essentially cut off construction of new housing and reduce any incentive for small property owners to invest in maintenance and upkeep. It’s already hard enough for young workers and families to find housing in the state – how will it help if our apartments and homes simply get older and are not maintained?”
The ballot question would limit annual rent increases to the annual change in consumer price index (CPI) – which has averaged just 2.58% over the past 20 years – up to a maximum of 5%. Last year alone, property taxes in Massachusetts increased an average of 5.1% – not accounting for rising insurance costs, unit maintenance, and other unregulated costs associated with owning property. The cap would also apply to units that have been vacated by their occupants, meaning that, for property owners who kept rents low for long-term or elderly residents, those units will never catch up to market rate, stifling investment and resale value for both the property owner and the community. No other state in the country has adopted such restrictive policies.
Massachusetts voters already 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. Study after study, including research from MIT about the impacts in Cambridge, has found that rent control discourages investment in housing, leading to fewer homes, less home and building maintenance, and lower property values. And its impact will not be limited to renters and property owners: it will impact everyone in Massachusetts. This new proposal is a step back in time and will only worsen the current housing shortage.
The Greater Boston and Worcester Chambers join their colleagues at the Blackstone Valley, Quincy, and United Regional Chambers of Commerce, as well as a growing number of elected officials and community leaders, in opposition to this ballot question. Learn more about Housing for Massachusetts and join our coalition at housingformass.com.
About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is the convener, voice, and advocate of the region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.
###
Media Inquiries
Julianne Hester
press@housingformass.com