Some Good News About Sensible Housing Policy in Mass.
Dear SPOA Members and Supporters:
We have some good news to report!
On April 28, the New Bedford City Council rejected rent control! Rental housing providers contacted their representatives to voice their concerns in full force. This led a number of city councilors to change their votes from favoring the non-binding ballot measure to opposing it. You can read more about this story by accessing the link HERE.
Also, SPOA testified in favor of a rent escrow bill sponsored by State Rep. David Decoste of Norwell on May 9 at a State House hearing. SPOA Vice President Amir Shahsavari joined Rep. DeCoste on a panel to advocate for rent escrow as a means to ensure that property owners receive their rental income immediately after tenant-owner disputes are resolved in court, per the court’s approval. This will discourage tenants from withholding rental payments for inappropriate reasons from the outset. SPOA also testified against a proposal to grant free attorneys for all tenants in the state, as this is based on a false narrative that most, if not all, eviction cases are brought about by wealthy property owners against wronged tenants. In reality, many property owners face the same challenges as their tenants and have been forced to engage in the eviction process as a last resort to recoup their lost income. Owners must therefore have the same rights as tenants in gaining access to free representation in such cases. You can read the testimony HERE.
Furthermore, Gov. Maura Healey selected Edward Augustus as state housing secretary on May 15. SPOA testified in favor of creating this secretariat position earlier in the year to boost the production of housing. Mr. Augustus’s record in spurring growth as the city manager of Worcester speaks for itself. You can read more about him HERE.
As you can see, there is reason to celebrate — and we could not have gotten here without your support! But this is why your support matters — because we can’t win this fight without you!
Your continued participation will make a tremendous difference in helping us win this battle — and the battle will continue! Radical tenant activists are already regrouping to take away our rights — and they are threatening to primary elected officials who don't bow down to their agenda. So please stay with us — we must continue our efforts to protect our property rights, our tenants, and our properties!
Please keep our momentum going and donate to SPOA today!
We would appreciate regular monthly donations, in the amount of $100, $500, or whatever you can afford.
Sincerely,
Small Property Owners Association (SPOA)
P.S. Again — we are facing formidable opponents who are against us — and against growth. None of us can afford to sit this battle out. Please donate today — and please donate regularly!
SPOA is a landlord advocacy organization made up of volunteers. Our response to this crisis will be determined by our funding. In order to combat this intrusion into private housing we need your support. Please financially support our efforts today - the consequences of these actions may be dire. Housing providers must push back against these dire threats to our industry. Please donate what you can today, or send checks to “SPOA, Inc.” at 840 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02127.
Small Property Owners Association (SPOA)