Rent Control is a Public Health Issue

                                                      April 9th, 2026

Dr. Traci Biondi's new opinion piece takes a public health approach to analyze the potential implications of rent control. While traditionally thought of as a question for economists or housing policy experts, Biondi believes that rent control is also relevant to concerns about the living conditions and health of the general public.

The housing crisis is a major issue that affects the entire country and is caused primarily by a shortage of supply. Homes are not being built fast enough to keep up with the increasing demand, which in turn causes prices to rise and puts economic pressure on renters. This is the case in many states and is true for Massachusetts as well.

Although rent control is designed to make housing more affordable, it can have the opposite effect. If a property owner is not permitted to make a profit on their property, they may forgo any repairs or maintenance on a property. This can result in the development of health hazards such as mold and pest infestations.

Substandard housing is a significant threat to health. Poorly maintained housing can lead to dangerous conditions such as inadequate heating, cooling, and ventilation, as well as unregulated electrical systems which can trigger respiratory conditions and other chronic illnesses. The very young, elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to health risks. Such hazards are severely pronounced on the very young, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

More issues would arise due to implementing this policy. With controls placed on how much owners can charge in rent, it can lead to current tenants staying in their apartments longer, therefore, less units will be available to new tenants. This will lead to more people being forced to live in housing that is unsafe or overly crowded. Living in these conditions for a prolonged period can take a toll on a person's mental health, as well as make it easier for illnesses to spread. These issues can result in a loss in overall community health.

While the issues of affordability persist, it highlights the need for more root cause focused solutions. Increasing the supply of available units is most often cited as the best long-term solution to affordable housing.

This debate is taking place on a national scale. Californians, for instance, are concerned about the future of housing affordability, availability, and quality, and have voted against expanding rent control.

Housing policy choices influence more than just prices. The foundation of health, well-being, and quality of life for people is safe and secure housing. Policies should focus on improving the affordability and quality of housing. Greater access to safe, secure housing should be a priority.