A contentious political battle is brewing in Massachusetts as supporters and opponents of a proposed rent control initiative gear up for a fight over its ballot eligibility.
As momentum builds towards a potential 2026 ballot decision, both sides are already engaged in early skirmishes regarding the legality of the proposed measure.
A coalition of real estate industry groups and think tanks has urged the attorney general’s office to block the initiative petition that seeks to implement statewide caps on rent increases.
This pushback comes as backers of the measure, known as Homes for All, assert their case for why the proposal should be allowed to advance through the lengthy process leading to the ballot.
If successful, the measure to limit rent increases could shape up to be one of the most intense political battles in recent memory.
Opponents are attempting to thwart the proposal at its initial stages by questioning the legality of the measure.
Legal firm CEK Boston, which represents several powerful real estate organizations, submitted a memo arguing that the proposal should be dismissed because it would infringe upon property rights and involve religious institutions.
They contend that the initiative bars certain property types, specifically those operated for educational, religious, or non-profit purposes, thereby relating to religion as outlined in the state Constitution.
According to their memo, “On its face, therefore, Petition 25-21 relates to religion, religious practices or religious institutions.
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