Webinar June 24: Rent Control: Theory, History and Unintended Consequences

This policy presentation will examine the theory behind rent control, the history of rent control in Massachusetts, and the reasons why we shouldn't have rent control in Massachusetts (or indeed anywhere in the US).

We will study:

Legitimate motivations to correct injustice in modern housing markets.
Current bill text proposed for Massachusetts.
First, second, and third generation schemes for price controls.
Economic data from Massachusetts, Finland, and other studies.
Evidence of housing shortage, disparate impact under rent control.
Detailed bill text.
Alternative resolutions to the housing crisis.

Attendees will leave knowing more about the history of rent control in the commonwealth and how best help those impacted by the housing crisis both short-term and long-term.

picture of basement interior showing boarded up window and loose masonry — During Rent Control: A window at 326 Shawmut Ave, Boston circa 1990 to 1993

picture of basement exterior showing newly repointed masonry, granite plinth and modern working window — Shawmut Ave nowadays is in good repair (Google Street View, 2018)

picture of MassLandlords Executive Director Doug Quattrochi — MassLandlords Executive Director Doug Quattrochi

This presentation will be given by Doug Quattrochi, Executive Director, MassLandlords, Inc. Doug was a founding member of MassLandlords in 2013. He became the association's first Executive Director under new bylaws in 2014. Since then, he has scaled the organization from a core of 160 members in Worcester to approximately 2,500 dues paying businesses from Pittsfield to the Cape, and from an all-volunteer team to approximately 20 full and part-time staff plus 50 volunteers. Doug has been instrumental in advancing democratic governance mechanisms, including score voting for policy priorities and a staggered and democratically elected Board of Directors. Doug also oversees the RentHelper spin-off, which is expanding access to electronic banking for those of us who are unbanked or underbanked. Prior to MassLandlords, Doug held leadership roles in various Massachusetts startups, two of which are still operating. Doug holds a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Doug's presentation was excellent. He was very clear and provided detailed explanations." -Larry

"Doug always holds very informative classes full of substance and Very organized!" -Thomas

"Your answers to member's questions were most helpful." -Liz

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MassLandlords offers attendees of directly managed events a "No Sales Pitch" guarantee. If a guest speaker offers services, their presentation will not discuss pricing, promotions, or reasons why you should hire them. We do not permit speakers to pay for or sponsor events. Guest speakers are chosen for their expertise and willingness to present helpful educational content. Your purchase of an event ticket sustains our nonprofit model.

Friday, June 24^th

Webinar Agenda

12:00pm Webinar Begins
1:00pm Webinar Ends

Registration

Free and open to the public. Membership is not required!

Participation is Easy

We have two formats of online events:

Virtual meetings include optional audience participation via video, phone, and screenshare and are not recorded.
Webinars have limited participation options (typed questions only) and are recorded.

Our virtual registration desk is open for all events one hour starting 30 minutes prior to the event start time. Call 774-314-1896 or email hello@masslandlords.net for live, real-time help signing in and using your technology.