Who are the new leaders of the Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) and what is their vision?

The Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) has new leadership for 2026, with Amir Shahsavari as President and Tony Lopes as Vice President. They aim to foster collaborative housing policies that benefit all stakeholders, including small property owners, renters, and local businesses.

What is SPOA's stance on the current rent control ballot campaign?

SPOA is actively opposing a rent control ballot campaign in 2026. They participated in a press conference on January 29, 2026, to launch their campaign against this measure.

Who sponsored the press conference opposing the rent control ballot campaign?

The press conference opposing the rent control ballot campaign was sponsored by Housing for Massachusetts, a coalition of business and real estate groups. It featured speakers like SPOA President Amir Shahsavari and Conor Yunits, Chair of Housing for Massachusetts.

Who were some of the key speakers at the press conference opposing rent control?

The press conference speakers included SPOA President Amir Shahsavari, Conor Yunits, Denise Jillson (who was involved in the 1994 rent control ban), business leader Alex Guardiola, and City Councilor Marc Silvestri.

After Electing New Leaders, SPOA Leads Press Conference...

The Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) began 2026 with new leadership and a renewed call for balanced housing policies that are collaborative and inclusive of all stakeholders. President Amir Shahsavari and Vice President Tony Lopes initiated SPOA's next chapter with a press release that was covered in different publications, including New England Real Estate Journal and Boston Real Estate Times, outlining the vision for the year. We need to work with small property owners, and not against them, to create policies that increase opportunity, preserve housing quality, and help renters become future homeowners, while supporting all the businesses that rely on small landlords to keep our neighborhoods strong and safe. You can read the full articles below.New England Real Estate JournalSmall Property Owners Association names 2026 leadership

Boston Real Estate TimesSmall Property Owners Association Announces New Leadership for 2026

SPOA also helped lead a press conference to formally launch the opposition to the rent control ballot campaign on January 29, 2026. Sponsored by Housing for Massachusetts, a coalition of business and real estate groups, the event took place at Church on the Hill across from the Massachusetts State House. Speakers included Conor Yunits, the Chair of Housing for Massachusetts, in addition to SPOA President Amir Shahsavari. Other speakers included Denise Jillson (Chair of Yes on 9 in 1994, the campaign that banned rent control), Alex Guardiola (Worcester area business leader and property owner), and Marc Silvestri (Revere City Councilor At-Large) among others. The event was covered by several media outlets including Boston Real Estate Times, State House News Service, Banker &Tradesman, and Contrarian Boston. You can find this press coverage below. Boston Real Estate TimesHousing for Massachusetts Launches Campaign Against Rent Control Ballot Question

State House News Service Rent Control Debate Intensifies with Opposition Campaign Launch

Banker & TradesmanOpponents Begin Pushback Against Rent Control

Banker & TradesmanCan Mass. Rent Control Foes Get Their Message Out?

Contrarian BostonPivotal issue for Bay State’s future: Coalition of business and real estate groups kick off campaign against draconian rent control proposal

by Tony Lopes and Amir Shahsavari

After Electing New Leaders, SPOA Leads Press Conference Opposing Rent Control Ballot Campaign

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