Rent prices have reached astronomical levels in Massachusetts while wages remain stagnant, making it incredibly challenging for families to afford basic housing. My personal experience reflects this struggle deeply. My rent escalated from $700 to $1450 and expected to be $2000 at the next signing of our lease for a small two-bedroom apartment. Despite these exorbitant costs, amenities are nonexistent, and the living conditions are below par. There is no egress, the electric wiring is so old that the kitchen and living room lights no longer work. This reflects a broader trend where rental prices increase without corresponding improvements in living conditions or maintenance, prioritizing profit over people's basic need for a safe place to live. 

The idea of becoming a landlord has moved from making a small earning on the side while providing decent housing to a monopoly focused only on high earning profit. The state's housing market currently operates as a profit-driven enterprise, treating homes as commodities rather than essential necessities. This rampant, unchecked increase in rental prices threatens the wellbeing of countless residents like myself across the state. It underscores the urgent necessity for legislative intervention to ensure rental properties are affordable for all Massachusetts residents. 

To address this crisis, we propose a rent cap tied to minimum wage. Specifically, a studio to two-bedroom apartment should be affordable based on 33% of one full-time minimum wage income, and a three-bedroom apartment and larger should be affordable based on 33% of combined incomes of two individuals earning minimum wage. This approach ensures rental costs are fair, equitable, and inherently linked to what the average working citizen can genuinely afford. This will still allow landlords to make a small profit and be able to afford upkeep of their properties.

Massachusetts needs to establish housing policies that prioritize the needs and financial realities of its residents. Please join us in advocating for a rent cap based on minimum wage to protect our basic human right to a livable home. Sign this petition to encourage lawmakers to recognize housing as a fundamental right, not a luxury. Together, we can forge a path to sustainable and equitable housing solutions in Massachusetts.