On May 29, 2025, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Housing convened to address the pressing housing crisis affecting workers across the state. The meeting featured key testimonies from labor leaders, including Chrissy Lehi Lynch, president of the AFL-CIO Massachusetts, Carrie Medina, executive vice president of SEIU 1199, and Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trade Unions. Their insights underscored the urgent need for affordable housing solutions and the protection of workers' rights in the construction sector.

Lynch highlighted the struggles faced by nearly half a million union members in Massachusetts, emphasizing that rising rents and home prices have made homeownership unattainable for many. She advocated for local option rent stabilization, which aims to protect renters from extreme rent hikes while allowing for new construction. Lynch pointed out that many working families are spending over half of their income on housing, exacerbating economic instability and pushing them out of their communities.

Medina echoed these concerns, representing over 80,000 healthcare workers who are also grappling with the housing crisis. She noted that essential workers, particularly in healthcare, are often unable to find affordable housing near their workplaces, leading to workforce shortages in critical sectors. Medina called for the lifting of the ban on rent stabilization, arguing that it would provide immediate relief for low-wage families and address racial disparities in housing access.

Callahan focused on labor standards in the construction industry, stressing the importance of ensuring that workers who build housing can afford to live in the communities they serve. He criticized the prevalence of wage theft in the construction sector and advocated for maintaining prevailing wage requirements to ensure fair compensation for workers. Callahan argued that the state should not have to choose between building affordable housing and providing good wages and benefits to workers.

The discussions at the meeting highlighted the multifaceted nature of the housing crisis in Massachusetts, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions that include both increased housing production and strong labor protections. As the committee continues to explore these issues, the testimonies from labor leaders serve as a crucial reminder of the interconnectedness of housing affordability, worker rights, and community stability. The urgency of these discussions reflects a growing recognition that addressing the housing crisis is essential for the well-being of all Massachusetts residents.