[Story Developing] Sharing personal stories of financial strain and housing uncertainty, Massachusetts tenants argued Tuesday that a controversial proposal to revive local rent control options could help them avoid displacement.
Legislation before the Housing Committee (H 1316 and H 3924) would allow communities to implement rent control at the local level, a practice that was banned statewide by a 1994 ballot question.
Real estate industry leaders warn that a return to rent control could stifle already-slow housing production, but activists and residents who packed a hearing room Tuesday said they could not meet rising costs without new protections.
"It's getting harder and harder for my family to keep up, and I'm really worried I'm getting pushed out of my home," said Maria Torres, a Lynn United for Change member who said her rent increased about 35 percent last year.
"That's why rent control is important," Torres continued. "Without it, people like me will be pushed out and excluded from our own cities. Communities will be broken up, and that's not right. Please help us stop it from happening.
