Residential Anti-Displacement Task Force Seeks Public Comment on Upcoming Rent Stabilization efforts.

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.