Flynn on rent control: A ‘good’ proposal
The rent control legislation before the City Council may give Boston residents “the opportunity to continue to live here,” City Council President Ed Flynn Sunda, voicing strong support for the Mayor Michelle Wu’s precarious proposal.
“The mayor provided a good proposal — I think she listened to residents and actually listened to the business community as well,” Flynn said. … “It’s about residents who may not have a lot of money, but there should always be an opportunity for them here.”
Under the mayor’s proposal, year-over-year rent increases would be capped at 6% plus inflation increases, to a max of 10%, with certain exceptions.
Flynn has submitted a separate rent control proposal but said Sunday in remarks on CBS’s Keller at Large, that he’s behind Wu’s version with some room for improvement.
Flynn said he’s in “serious discussion” about adding a tax incentive provision to the rent control proposal for landlords who cut tenants a break on rent, saying he’s heard “many, many times” about landlords who charge families or elderly tenants below market rates.
“Certainly we want to support all landlords as well,” he added. “They’re important.”
Keller referenced many people’s reservations that rent control may be a “moot point” because of an inability to get approval on Beacon Hill, which it would need to go into effect.
At recent council meetings, Flynn and other councilors have discussed whether there’s a way for the legislation to clear a path to approval in the
State House.
Sunday, Flynn did not say where things stand with the state, but he expressed confidence in the council’s ability to hammer out the legislation with input from the Wu administration and community stakeholders.
“If you have a proposal and you work well with residents, neighborhood organizations, the impact of community, I think you’ll get a fair shake at City Hall,” Flynn said. “Hopefully at the end of the day, there’s a proposal that people can support, and it’s based on each side respecting each other.”