Letter to the Editor

ON RENTS IN BOSTON
Dear Editor:
I would like to know how recent city rents  are showing signs of stabilization. I did read a Boston Herald news story that stated, “Rental prices are still on the rise in Boston but are slowing -”good news” for tenants and a sign that efforts to ramp up building ‘is starting ton satiate some of the demand” for housing, officials and expert said.”
Mayor Walsh adds “The stabilization of rents across our neighborhoods demonstrates our housing plan in action.” I must say I search for all this so-called good news. Just because more housing is being built has little effect on neighborhood rents. Just look at East Boston,South  Boston, Dorchester, North End, Charlestown, Dorchester or anywhere else in the city where rents are soaring to the stratosphere. However, look around more and more small scale and large projects adding more units to the neighborhood. But the problem is the more that’s built, the steeper the rents go as the real estate value of the neighborhoods keeps rising. Housing construction is not helping moderate rent in the city and the new supply is working in the direction of helping to satisfy demand.
Look at all that SmartGrowth housing near MBTA or commuter rail stations. How much of it is modersterly priced and how many affordable units are in them and just who definers the term “affordable.”
Our elected officials need to stop talking nonsense or trying to believe what they’re saying. The forecast isn’t that bright as Boston seems to be headed to two Bostons. One for the wealthy and one for everyone just trying to survive in an ever-more expensive city.
Meanwhile, the middle class regardless of race packs and moves as fast as they can. The more things change, the worse things get.
Sal Giarratani
Boston, MA

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *