Proponents of two potential ballot measures aiming to tackle the state’s dire housing crunch – pulling from entirely different playbooks – had to contend with more than formal opposition to the campaigns this week.
They also took fire from those advancing the other housing measure and from legislative leaders openly frustrated by the number of initiatives looking to circumvent the conventional lawmaking process by taking issues directly to voters.
The Legislature has been thrust into the middle of a record-breaking year of ballot measures that could see 12 questions go before voters. While lawmakers have decried the surge in ballot campaigns, and said some of them represent an intrusion of wealthy special interests bankrolling the efforts, proponents say years of inaction on Beacon Hill in addressing issues through legislation has forced their hand.
That tension came to the fore during back-to-back hearing days on housing-related ballot measures.
One proposal, put forward by a collection of pro-growth groups led by Pioneer Institute senior housing fellow Andrew Mikula, is pitched as making it easier to build starter homes. The initiative would lower to 5,000 square feet the minimum lot size required for single-family homes to be built as of right in areas with adequate public water and sewer infrastructure.
Another, proposed by housing advocacy groups under the banner of the Homes For All coalition, takes aim at the skyrocketing rental market with what would be the strictest statewide rent control law in the nation. The measure would cap rent increases year over year to the rate of inflation or 5 percent, whichever is lower, with certain exemptions.
Everything in the policy toolbox is needed to address the housing crisis, Carolyn Chou, executive director of Homes for All, told the special joint committee reviewing ballot measures. “I think we all agree that we need to do more for production,” she said, offering an implicit nod to the starter home ballot question. “We know zoning, cost and supply, interest rates – these are big barriers here to building, and we’re all committed to that.” But, she said, the rent control measure is needed to address “the crisis right now.”
More Context
- Remove restrictions that limit more housing? Rein in rents? Voters may face dueling ballot questions advancing competing ideas. (August 2025)
- ‘They’re making a huge bet’: Rent control referendum splits progressives (November 2025)
- Rent control opponents warn of $300 billion impact to local budgets (March 2026)
Published by MassINC
