Somerville To Host Rent Stabilization Listening Sessions

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City of Somerville is hosting rent stabilization listening sessions on July 20 and 27 and is inviting community members to provide public comments.

As part of ongoing efforts to continue to reduce displacement and increase housing affordability, Somerville’s Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF) is drafting a rent stabilization law, and community members may share their input on what should be included. Two separate sessions will be offered: one for property owners, and one for renters.

Rent stabilization is a legal strategy that aims to keep housing affordable, according to the city. It includes laws that prevent rents from rising too quickly and offer protection against wrongful evictions while still including considerations for property owners.

The ADTF will use the feedback received at the listening sessions to help inform the proposed legislation draft before submitting it to the city council and the state legislature.

Both listening sessions will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and hosted in a hybrid format. For more information on finding the Zoom link or registering to comment, visit voice.somervillema.gov/adtf or call 311 (617-666-3311).