Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville invite community members to provide public comments about rent stabilization at a third and final listening session. The City hosted two listening sessions last month and is now scheduling a third session for anyone who was unable to attend earlier or has additional comments. This session will prioritize individuals who have not previously provided comments.

The final listening session is on Tuesday, September 12, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The meeting will be hosted in a hybrid format, with the opportunity to participate in person at the Armory or remotely on Zoom. This session will be recorded and posted on voice.somervillema.gov/adtf. The City has also extended the written comment period through September 10.

Background
As part of ongoing efforts to continue to reduce displacement and increase housing affordability, the City’s Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF) is drafting a rent stabilization law, and community members are invited to share their input on what should be included.

Rent stabilization is a legal strategy that aims to keep housing affordable. It includes laws that prevent rents from rising too quickly and laws that offer protection against wrongful evictions. It also includes considerations for property owners, such as what types of buildings are exempt from the law and parameters regarding when a unit that formerly qualified for rent stabilization could potentially remove its restrictions.

Somerville’s Proposal
The ADTF will use the feedback received at the listening sessions to help inform the proposed legislation draft.

Note that the City is already committed to submitting draft legislation to the State. Comments should address specific elements of Somerville’s proposed new rent stabilization rules, which, if approved by the City Council and the State Legislature, would become Somerville law. Some example considerations are:

• Tools to ensure sustainably affordable rental prices:

  • Should rent stabilization take effect starting the day the law is passed? If not, when should it take effect? (Example: One year before the day the law is passed.)

  • Should income be used to decide who lives in rent-stabilized units? (Example: Low-income tenants prioritized over higher earners.)

  • How much can landlords raise rent when a lease is renewed?

  • Who should make sure the rent stabilization law is followed? The City Council? A new board?
    
    

• Tools to ensure housing production is not slowed down:

  • Should the rent increase limit still apply if a tenant moves out of an apartment, or can a landlord raise it more?

  • Should property owners be allowed to raise rents if they improve the unit or if taxes or utilities go up?

  • Should anyone be exempt from the rent stabilization law?

  • Should the rent stabilization law apply to new buildings?

The ADTF will then submit the draft law to the City and the City Council, and then to the state legislature, where the City will formally ask the State for permission to enact the law (known as a “home rule petition”).

How to Provide Comment

• Register & Speak at a Listening Session:
  • Advance registration is required to speak at the session.
    • Sign up to provide comments at this link: https://forms.gle/RqKPc2T43Y7oL41q6
  • Sign up by Sunday, September 10, at 5:30 p.m. at voice.somervillema.gov/adtf or by calling 311 (617-666-3311).
  • Registration is only required for those providing comments. If you do not register ahead of time but wish to speak, we will do our best to accommodate you but cannot guarantee you will have an opportunity to do so.
• Submit Written Comment: Written comments will also be accepted until midnight on Sunday, September 10, by email to adtf@somervillema.gov or by mail at:

City of Somerville, Attn: Luis Quizhpe
Office of Community Development and Strategic Planning
93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143

How to Attend the Listening Session

• Attend in person at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave.
• Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86840930785?pwd=d1k3RGF0bExyZ2xEZy9USHhpY1hHQT09
• Join by phone:
  • Dial +1 646-931-3860
  • Enter Webinar ID: 868 4093 0785
  • Enter Passcode: 464941

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request (at least seven days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.

Somerville Rent Stabilization Listening Sessions, July 20 & July 27

The City of Somerville, in its effort to continue to reduce displacement and increase housing affordability, is hosting two listening sessions to take public comments on rent stabilization. Rent stabilization is a legal strategy that aims to keep housing affordable. Rent stabilization includes laws that prevent rents from rising too quickly and laws that offer protection against wrongful evictions. It also includes considerations for property owners, such as what types of buildings are exempted from the law and considerations for if and when a unit that formerly qualified for rent stabilization could remove its restrictions.

Community members are invited to share their input on what should be included in Somerville’s drafting of a rent stabilization law. The Anti-Displacement Task Force will use the feedback received at the listening sessions to help inform the discussions and the proposed legislation draft. The Anti-Displacement Task Force will submit the draft language to the administration and the council before it makes its way to the state legislature, where the City will formally ask the state for permission to enact the law.

Some example considerations are:

• In what way should rents be limited?
• Should any units or people be exempt from rent stabilization? If so, who?
• How should the costs of repairs be factored into rent?

The first listening session, for property owners and their advocates, is Thursday, July 20, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The second, for renters and their advocates, is Thursday, July 27, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Both listening sessions will be hosted in a hybrid format, with the opportunity to participate in person at Arts at the Armory 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143, or remotely on Zoom.

How to Attend

If you plan on providing comments, registration will be required beforehand. If you do not register ahead of time, we will do our best to accommodate you, but cannot guarantee you will have an opportunity to do so during the session. The session will be recorded and posted on voice.somervillema.gov/adtf

• Attend in person: Arts at the Armory 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
• Join online: Link to join either session is available at voice.somervillema.gov/adtf
• Join by phone:
  
  • For landlords and their advocates:
    • Dial: +1 646 558 8656
    • Enter Meeting ID: 838 3292 1717
    • Enter Passcode: 635355
      
  • For renters and their advocates:
    • Dial: +1 646 558 8656
    • Enter Meeting ID: 844 6308 0114
    • Enter Passcode: 647757

How to Provide Comment

July 20 5:30PM - 9:30PM - Listening session for property owners & their advocates.

Step 1: Click this link (or copy text onto your browser address bar) by 5:00PM on July 18 to register if you want to provide comments:

https://forms.gle/S1ChV78EoZZ2JCip9

Step 2: Attend in person at The Armory at 191 Highland Ave

- or -

Click this link to attend the listening session virtually on July 20: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

July 27 - 5:30PM - 9:30PM - Listening session for tenants and their advocates.

Step 1: Click this link (or copy text onto your browser address bar) by 5:00PM on July 25 to register if you want to provide comments: https://forms.gle/QfhYzyw2hpaHwTXA9

Step 2: Attend in person at The Armory at 191 Highland Ave

- or -

Click this link to attend the listening session virtually on July 27:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

Submit Written Comment: If you cannot attend the session, written comments will be accepted through Monday July 31, by email to adtf@somervillema.gov or via mail at:

City of Somerville, Attn: Luis Quizhpe
Office of Community Development and Strategic Planning
93 Highland Ave. Somerville, MA 02143

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request (at least seven days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.

Somerville está redactando una ley de estabilización de alquileres. ¿Qué se debe incluir?

¿De qué forma se deben limitar las rentas?

¿Debería alguna unidad o persona estar exenta de la estabilización de renta? Si es así, ¿quién?

¿Cómo deben tenerse en cuenta los costos de las reparaciones en los alquileres?

El Grupo de trabajo contra el desplazamiento utilizará sus comentarios durante la redacción de una próxima petición de autonomía para la estabilización del valor de los alquileres.

Sesiones de intercambio de ideas acerca de la estabilización del alquiler- Propietarios y defensores de propietarios:

Fecha: 20 de julio de 2023; 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Formato: Presencial y transmisión en vivo a través de Zoom.

Dirección del evento:

Presencial: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave.

Enlace de Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

Si quiere proporcionar comentarios inscríbase antes del 18 de julio del 2023.

Cómo registrarse para hablar:

Visite https://forms.gle/if66PxXr2XyQzkRp7

Sesiones de intercambio de ideas acerca de la estabilización del alquiler- Inquilinos y defensores de inquilinos:

Fecha: 27 de julio de 2023; 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Formato: Presencial y transmisión en vivo a través de Zoom.

Dirección del evento:

Presencial: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave.

Enlace de Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

Si quiere proporcionar comentarios inscríbase antes del 25 de julio del 2023.

Cómo registrarse para hablar:

Visite https://forms.gle/S1ChV78EoZZ2JCip9

Somerville está elaborando uma lei de estabilização de aluguel. O que deve ser incluído?

De que maneira os aluguéis devem ser limitados?

Algumas unidades ou pessoas devem ser isentas da estabilização do aluguel? Se sim, quem?

Como os custos dos reparos devem ser contabilizados nos aluguéis?

A Força-Tarefa contra remoções usará seu feedback durante a elaboração de uma petição de regra local para estabilização do aluguel.

Sessões de escuta sobre estabilização do aluguel: proprietários e seus defensores

Data: 20 de julho de 2023, das 5:30PM às 9:30PM

Formato: Presencial com streaming ao vivo por Zoom.

Endereço do evento:

Presencial: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave

Link do Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

Inscreva-se para fornecer comentários até 18 de julho de 2023

Como se inscrever para falar:

https://forms.gle/S1ChV78EoZZ2JCip9

Sessões de escuta sobre estabilização do aluguel: inquilinos e seus defensores

Data: 27 de julho de 2023, das 5:30PM às 9:30PM

Formato: Presencial com streaming ao vivo por Zoom.

Endereço do evento:

Presencial: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave

Link do Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

Inscreva-se para fornecer comentários até 25 de julho de 2023

Como se inscrever para falar:

https://forms.gle/QfhYzyw2hpaHwTXA9

Somerville ap ekri yon lwa pou estabilizasyon lwaye. Ki sa ki ta dwe enkli?

Nan ki fason pri lwaye yo ta dwe limite?

Èske nenpòt inite oswa moun ta dwe egzante de estabilizasyon lwaye? Si se konsa, kiyès?

Ki jan depans pou reparasyon yo ta dwe konsidere nan pri lwaye yo?

Gwoup Travay Anti-Deplasman an pral itilize fidbak ou yo pandan y ap ekri yon petisyon pou règleman kay yo pou estabilizasyon lwaye.

Seyans Ekout sou Estabilizasyon Lwaye - Pwopriyetè ak Avoka Pwopriyetè yo

Dat: 20 jiyè 2023; 5 è edmi nan apremidi rive 9 è edmi nan aswè

Fòma: An pèsòn epi difizyon an dirèk sou Zoom.

Adrès Aktivite a:

An pèsòn: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave

Lyen Zoom lan: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

Anrejistre pou ka bay komantè apati de 18 Jiyè 2023

Enskri pou w pale:

Visite https://forms.gle/S1ChV78EoZZ2JCip9

Seyans Ekout sou Estabilizasyon Lwaye - Lokatè ak Avoka Lokatè yo

Dat: 27 jiyè 2023; 5 è edmi nan apremidi rive 9 è edmi nan aswè

Fòma: An pèsòn epi difizyon an dirèk sou Zoom.

Adrès Aktivite a:

An pèsòn: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave

Lyen Zoom lan: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

Anrejistre pou ka bay komantè apati de 25 Jiyè 2023

Enskri pou w pale:

Visite: https://forms.gle/QfhYzyw2hpaHwTXA9

समरभिलले भाडा स्थिरीकरण कानूनको मस्यौदा तयार गर्दैछ। के समावेश गर्नुपर्छ?

भाडा कसरी सीमित गरिनु पर्छ?

कुनै एकाइ वा व्यक्तिहरूलाई भाडा स्थिरीकरणबाट छुट दिनुपर्छ? यदि छ भने, कसलाई?

मर्मत खर्चलाई भाडामा कसरी समावेश गर्नुपर्छ?

विस्थापन-विरुद्धको कार्य बल (The Anti-Displacement Task Force) ले भाडा स्थिरीकरणको लागि आगामी स्थानिय नियम याचिकाको मस्यौदा तयार गर्दा तपाँईको प्रतिक्रिया प्रयोग गर्नेछन्।

भाडाको स्थायित्वसम्बन्धी सुनुवाइका सत्रहरू- मालिक र मालिकका अधिवक्ताहरू

मिति: जुलाई २०, २०२३; साँझको ५:३० बजेदेखि रातीको ९:३० बजेसम्म

ढाँचा: प्रत्यक्ष उपस्थित हुने र Zoom प्रयोग गरेर लाइभ-स्ट्रिममा उपस्थित हुने।

कार्यक्रम हुने ठेगाना:

प्रत्यक्ष उपस्थित हुने: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave

Zoom लिङ्क: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

टिप्पणीहरु प्रदान गर्नका लागी जुलाई १८, २०२३ सम्ममा टिप्पणीहरु दर्ता गराई सक्नुहोस्।

भाडा स्थिरता सुनुवाइ सत्रहरू - भाडामा लिनेहरू र भाडामा लिनेहरूको अधिवक्ताहरू

मिति: जुलाई २७, २०२३; साँझको ५:३० बजेदेखि रातीको ९:३० बजेसम्म

ढाँचा: प्रत्यक्ष उपस्थित हुने र Zoom प्रयोग गरेर लाइभ-स्ट्रिममा उपस्थित हुने।

कार्यक्रम हुने ठेगाना:

प्रत्यक्ष उपस्थित हुने: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave

Zoom लिङ्क: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

टिप्पणीहरु प्रदान गर्नका लागी जुलाई २५, २०२३ सम्ममा टिप्पणीहरु दर्ता गराई सक्नुहोस्।

https://forms.gle/S1ChV78EoZZ2JCip9

薩默維爾市正在起草穩定租金法。您認為應該包括什麼呢？

我們應該如何限制租金呢？

是否有任何單位或人士可以免受穩定租金的約束呢？如果有的話，是誰呢？

維修費用應如何計入租金呢？

反流離失所特別工作組 (Anti-Displacement Task Force) 正在起草即將發佈的穩定租金的地方規例請願書，工作組屆時會加入您的反饋和意見。

日期：2023 年 7 月 20 日，5:30PM – 9:30PM

參加形式：親臨現場參加以及參加 Zoom 直播。

活動地址：

親臨現場參加: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave。

Zoom 連結：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

在 2023 年 7 月 18 日之前 註冊以便屆時提供意見

注册发表评论：

https://forms.gle/QfhYzyw2hpaHwTXA9

租金穩定聽證會 - 租戶和租戶倡導者

日期：2023 年 7 月 27 日，5:30PM – 9:30PM

參加形式：親臨現場參加以及參加 Zoom 直播。

活動地址：

親臨現場參加: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave。

Zoom 連結：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

在 2023 年 7 月 25 日之前 注册以便届时提供意见

注册发表评论：

https://forms.gle/QfhYzyw2hpaHwTXA9

萨默维尔市正在起草稳定租金法。您认为应该包括什么呢？

我们应该如何限制租金呢？

是否有任何单位或人士可以免受稳定租金的约束呢？如果有的话，是谁呢？

维修费用应如何计入租金呢？

反流离失所特别工作组 (Anti-Displacement Task Force) 正在起草即将发布的稳定租金的地方规例请愿书，工作组届时会加入您的反馈和意见。

稳定租金意见听取会——面向业主和业主的拥护者

日期：2023 年 7 月 20 日；下午 5:30 至晚上 9:30

参与形式：面对面和使用 Zoom 直播。

会议活动地址：

面对面: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave。

Zoom 链接：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832921717?pwd=WmZTalg0TzNSSnR2Y0VsUmpIbVNBdz09

在 2023 年 7 月 18 日之前 注册以便届时提供意见

注册以提供评论：

https://forms.gle/S1ChV78EoZZ2JCip9

稳定租金意见听取会——面向业主和业主的拥护者

日期：2023 年 7 月 27 日；下午 5:30 至晚上 9:30

参与形式：面对面和使用 Zoom 直播。

会议活动地址：

面对面: The Armory - 191 Highland Ave。

Zoom 链接：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463080114?pwd=Q1pYbWRDTXU4amhLeXIrTjd1SnJMdz09

在 2023 年 7 月 25 日之前 注册以便届时提供意见

注册以提供评论：

https://forms.gle/QfhYzyw2hpaHwTXA9