Lawmakers, tenants and advocates urge committee to let cities adopt rent stabilization

The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government heard hours of testimony supporting Senate Bill 14-47, which would lift the statewide ban on rent stabilization and allow municipalities to impose local caps on rent increases and just-cause eviction rules.

Proponents said the measure would be voluntary for cities and towns and include exemptions for new construction and small owner-occupied landlords. They argued that the state’s housing emergency — including a reported 55% rise in two‑bedroom rents since 2010 and rapid investor purchases of apartment buildings — is driving displacement, homelessness and community instability.

Advocates from tenant groups, unions and community organizations described tenants’ firsthand experiences: abrupt rent hikes, no-fault evictions after corporate purchases, families forced to move out of school districts and older adults priced out of long-term housing. “This bill is about stability,” said Senator Adam Gomez, identifying himself as the bill’s co‑filed…