05/27/2026
The momentum is building! Last night the Lynn City Council passed a strong resolution in support of rent stabilization.
By a vote of 10 to 0 our councilors said YES, we need to protect against drastic rent increases and prioritize stable homes & strong communities. The text of the resolution is below. More info on why rent stabilization will be good for our city & state: https://www.keepmasshome.com/our-campaign
This resolution sends an important message, but to put a rent stabilization law into effect we need action through our ballot question or legislation from the State House... and we're continuing those fights, now with official support from our City Council!
Thanks especially to councilor Nicole McClain, who introduced the resolution, and to all the other councilors who voted yes: Obed Matul, Coco Alinsug, Natasha Megie-Maddrey, Cardeliz Paez, Fred Hogan, Jordan Avery, Brian M. Field, Brian LaPierre, Hong Net. Much appreciation to all the Lynn United for Change members (and allies) whose organizing over the past years has carried this struggle forward! Homes for All Mass
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RESOLUTION URGING SUPPORT FOR RENT STABILIZATION TO PROTECT TENANTS AND PRESERVE COMMUNITY STABILITY [Lynn, MA City Council]
WHEREAS, The rising cost of housing in the City of Lynn continues to create significant financial strain for renters, placing seniors, working families, and essential workers at risk of displacement and housing insecurity; and
WHEREAS, Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns among Lynn residents, with regional housing studies conducted through Housing Lynn and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council indicating that more than 42% of Lynn households are housing cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income toward housing costs; and
WHEREAS, Housing instability may contribute to broader community challenges, including disruption to students, classrooms, and families, negative impacts on physical and mental health, and the weakening of neighborhood cohesion; and
WHEREAS, Rent stabilization may help prevent displacement, provide predictability for tenants, and promote long-term community stability; and
WHEREAS, Stabilizing rents may also support the local economy by allowing residents to remain in Lynn, with sustainable housing costs allowing them to contribute even more to local businesses and the broader community; and
WHEREAS, Current Massachusetts law prohibits municipalities from enacting rent stabilization policies, necessitating action at the state level; and
WHEREAS, A proposed initiative petition for the November 2026 ballot and legislation currently under consideration by the Massachusetts Legislature both seek to enable rent stabilization policies, including limiting annual rent increases to the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index or 5%, whichever is lower; and
WHEREAS, These proposals include several exemptions, including for owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units and newly constructed housing during an initial period, with the intention of protecting tenants and small-scale landlords while encouraging new housing development;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lynn City Council hereby expresses its support for both the initiative petition entitled “An Initiative Petition to Protect Tenants by Limiting Rent Increases” and the legislation entitled “An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Lynn City Council urges the Massachusetts Legislature and voters to take action to advance policies that protect tenants, prevent displacement, and strengthen communities across the Commonwealth; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Attorney General, the Governor of the Commonwealth, the Mayor of Lynn, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and all members of Lynn’s legislative delegation.
