Twenty-six states and Washington, D.C. allow citizen-initiated ballot measures that place laws, issues or topics on the ballot for voters to decide. The National Apartment Association (NAA) is currently monitoring ballot initiatives related to rental housing in four states and three local jurisdictions.
Statewide
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts statewide ballot measure would establish a limit on any annual rent increase for a covered dwelling unit which shall not exceed the increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 5%, whichever is lower.
- Status: Ballot measure has been filed and needs to gather enough signatures to be on the November 2026 ballot.
- Massachusetts statewide ballot measure would establish an eviction right to counsel program and would provide egal representation to eligible low-income tenants, occupants, or owner-occupants of 1-3 unit dwellings in any eviction proceedings.
- Status: Ballot measure has been filed and needs to gather enough signatures to be on the November 2026 ballot.
Localities
Colorado
- A Louisville, Colo. ballot measure would adopt an ordinance to amend the city’s code to prohibit residential rezoning of the Centennial Valley, Redtail Ridge and Avista Adventist Hospital; and to create an exception to such prohibition for the development of housing that includes 30% on-site deed-restricted affordable housing limited to households at or below eighty percent (80%) of the area median income (AMI).
- Louisville, Colo. ballot measure would adopt an ordinance to amend the city’s code to increase the categories of capital facilities for which impact fees are imposed in connection with new development (specifically including library, transportation, parks and trails, open space, recreation, emergency services, municipal buildings, water, wastewater, sewer, flood control and affordable housing).
- Status: Both measures will be on the November 4, 2025, ballot.
Montana
- A Bozeman, Mont. ballot measure would amend the code to allow developers to provide cash-in-lieu of water rights (CILWR) if they commit to designating 33% of new dwelling units as affordable. The affordable dwelling units are available to renters making 60% or less of Bozeman’s area median income (AMI) or available for sale to purchasers making 120% or less.
- Status: This measure will be on the November 4, 2025, ballot.
New York
- New York City Question 1 would create new fast-track public processes for affordable housing by creating a new action at the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) that would grant zoning relief for publicly financed affordable housing projects. It would also establish a new, streamlined public review procedure for applications that deliver affordable housing in the community districts that have permitted the least affordable housing.
- New York City Question 2 would create ELURP, a new, simplified review process for certain land use changes, including modest increases in how much housing is allowed, acquisition and disposition of land to facilitate affordable housing, and urgently needed climate resiliency projects.
- New York City Question 3 would create a new Affordable Housing Appeals Board, made up of the relevant Borough President, the Speaker of the City Council and the mayor, that would replace the mayor’s veto at the end of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) for projects that would create affordable housing.
- Status: All measures will be on the November 4, 2025, ballot.
NAA’s Outlook
As the election season progresses, stakeholders across the rental housing industry are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the evolving landscape of ballot initiatives. NAA will continue to monitor these measures for impacts to the rental housing industry and remains committed to supporting our affiliate partners and their advocacy at the state and local levels of government.
To learn more, contact publicpolicy@naahq.org.