Posts by Anastasia Daou
Housing for Massachusetts Launches Campaign Against Rent Control Ballot Question
In December 2025, NAIOP joined other real estate groups in officially establishing Housing for Massachusetts as the official committee registered with the Office of Campaign & Political Finance to oppose the rent control ballot question.
On January 29, 2026 small property owners, local elected officials, Chamber leaders, and more joined Housing for Massachusetts to kick off the campaign to defeat what would be the most restrictive form of rent control in the nation. Housing for Massachusetts will remind voters about the state’s history with this failed policy, and the devastating impact it would have on housing creation.
Read MoreNAIOP Massachusetts Introduces 2026 Leadership Team
At its Annual Meeting on November 19, NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, announced the election of its new President and Board members. The Board, comprised of many of the region’s prominent commercial real estate leaders, will guide NAIOP’s priorities in the upcoming year.
NAIOP Massachusetts also presented special awards recognizing significant contributions to the industry. The 2025 President’s Award was presented to Alyssa Morris of AEW Capital Management, in recognition of her outstanding contributions and commitment to NAIOP’s continued growth. Paula Devereaux of Pierce Atwood LLP, received the 2025 Government Affairs Champion Award in recognition of her exceptional advocacy benefiting the commercial real estate industry.
In addition, members of NAIOP Massachusetts voted to change the association’s name to the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Massachusetts
Read MoreRent Control Ballot Question Submits 90,000 Signatures to the Secretary of State
On November 18, the proponents of the Rent Control Ballot Question announced that they gathered 124,000 signatures. However, on December 2, the proponents delivered 90,000 signatures to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for certification. This proposal would create the most restrictive rent control policy in the entire country, with rental caps far below what is allowed in Portland, or in California, Oregon, or Washington, the only other states with statewide rent control policies.
Continuing our close coordination on a response to this ill-conceived and damaging initiative, NAIOP, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) and the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS (MAR), immediately issued a joint statement to the media, which has been widely covered.
This post was updated December 4, 2025 to reflect the signature total submitted to the Secretary of State.
Read More2025 Award Winners Announced – To Be Celebrated at NAIOP Annual Meeting
On November 19 at 5:00 pm, NAIOP Massachusetts will hold a year-end Annual Meeting where members will vote in Board members with terms expiring in 2028, thank outgoing Board members, and welcome NAIOP’s 2026 President Melissa Schrock of HRP Group, as well as the newest member of NAIOP’s Board Management Committee, Damian Szary of Redgate.
Then, NAIOP will honor our 2025 Award Winners. The following recipients embody NAIOP’s mission to propel the commercial real estate industry forward through inspiring leadership, unwavering commitment, and dedication.
Read MoreGovernor Healey Announces Streamlining Efforts for MEPA Focused on Housing Review
On September 9, NAIOP CEO Tamara Small joined Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and members of the Governor’s Cabinet as the Administration announced critical reforms to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review process, impacting housing projects across the Commonwealth.
Read MoreRent Control Ballot Initiative Filed for Attorney General’s Consideration
On August 6, a citizen’s petition called An Initiative Petition to Protect Tenants by Limiting Rent Increases was filed with the Attorney General’s Office seeking inclusion on the 2026 General Election Ballot.
The language, if enacted, would apply statewide and limit annual rent increases to a set cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index, with a maximum cap of 5%, regardless of a change in tenancy during the relevant 12-month period. For context, the cost-of-living increase last year was 2.9%, which would have been the maximum allowable rent increase in 2025 if the proposed measure had been in place. In 2022, the cost-of-living increase was 8%, but the measure would have restricted the maximum rent boost to 5%. Owner-occupied buildings with fewer than five units would be exempt, as would new construction for the first ten years of the building’s existence.
Read MoreNAIOP Awards Submission – Applications Closed
We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the Inaugural 2025 Project of the Year Awards, recognizing exceptional commercial real estate projects that are setting new standards for innovation, impact, and execution.
These brand-new prestigious awards celebrate urban & suburban projects that demonstrate excellence in planning, design, sustainability, and overall contribution to the community and industry. Eligible projects must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.
Let’s recognize the visionaries and teams behind the spaces that shape how we work, live, and connect. The winners of each award will be announced at the NAIOP Holiday Party & Annual Meeting on November 19.
Application Due Date: Monday, September 15 @ 12:00pm ET
Read MoreHealey-Driscoll Administration Files Mass Ready Act
Yesterday, Governor Healey announced the filing of the Mass Ready Act, a environmental bond bill that proposes nearly $3 billion in bonding authorizations to strengthen infrastructure and protect Massachusetts communities against increasing extreme weather events.
The bill’s language also proposes simplifications to the environmental permitting process for priority housing and urgent infrastructure needs. It also includes $50 million in reauthorization for the Momentum Fund to continue accelerating the development of mixed-income and multifamily housing.
NAIOP CEO Tamara Small spoke at the press conference.
Read MoreJudge Dismisses Case Against MBTA Communities Act; Draft BERDO Amendments Released; NAIOP Comments on Article 80 Proposal; Regulatory Deadlines Impacting New and Existing Buildings Approaching
In June, there were important updates related to the MBTA Communities Act, the Article 80 Modernization process, and the City of Boston’s BERDO regulations.
Additionally, the Building Code Concurrency Period between the 9th and 10th Editions ends on June 30, 2025; and statewide large building energy reporting begins June 30.
Read MoreGovernor Files Energy Affordability Legislation; DOER Hosts Building Energy Reporting Webinar
On May 13, the Healey-Driscoll Administration filed energy affordability legislation designed to save customers money, bring more energy into Massachusetts, increase accountability of the utilities and drive innovation.
On Monday, May 19, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is hosting a webinar to provide a guided walkthrough of the energy reporting guidelines for the Large Building Energy Reporting Law. Attendees will learn how to obtain, report, and submit their building energy benchmarking report. The tools discussed will include ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and the Building Energy Analysis (BEAM) Tool. Reporting is due by June 30, 2025.
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