The Joint Committee on Housing of the Massachusetts Legislature convened on May 29, 2025, to address the ongoing housing crisis affecting workers across the state. Key representatives from labor unions, including the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, SEIU 1199, and the Massachusetts Building Trades, presented their perspectives on the urgent need for affordable housing and labor protections.

The meeting highlighted the struggles faced by working-class individuals and families in securing affordable housing. Chrissy Lehi Lynch, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, emphasized that rising rents and home prices have made homeownership unattainable for many union members. She noted that many workers are spending over half of their income on housing, which is unsustainable and exacerbates economic disparities. Lynch advocated for local option rent stabilization measures to protect renters from extreme rent hikes, arguing that such policies would provide immediate relief to those most affected by the housing crisis.

Carrie Medina, executive vice president of SEIU 1199, echoed these concerns, particularly for healthcare workers who often cannot afford housing near their workplaces. She pointed out that the housing crisis disproportionately impacts communities of color and urged the committee to lift the ban on rent stabilization to ensure equitable housing access.

Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades, stressed the importance of maintaining labor standards in housing construction. He argued that the state must ensure that workers building housing can afford to live in the communities they serve. Callahan highlighted the issue of wage theft in the construction industry and called for stronger protections to ensure fair wages and benefits for workers.

The committee's discussions underscored the multifaceted nature of the housing crisis, with calls for increased affordable housing development, labor protections, and rent stabilization measures. As the meeting concluded, the representatives expressed a commitment to advocating for policies that would support both housing development and the workers who build it, aiming to create a more equitable housing landscape in Massachusetts.