SPOA Housing Policy Series, Episode 15: Josh Kraft Mayoral Forum

We are pleased to release Episode 15 of SPOA Housing Policy Series, which is called "Josh Kraft Mayoral Forum."

We speak with Josh Kraft, who is running for Mayor of Boston. Mr. Kraft has spent many years in the nonprofit sector, leading organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Boston and the charitable arm of the New England Patriots, which his family owns.

The conversation centers on Mr. Kraft's alternate version of rent control, which he presents as helping both tenants and property owners. We also discuss inequities with how properties are taxed in Boston, in addition to the need for more housing supply, as well as increased competition, to reduce prices and alleviate a struggling economic environment. We further address the high cost of energy, controversies with bike lanes and crime in the city, the renewed effort to hike taxes on the struggling business sector, and SPOA's plan to help tenants achieve homeownership while rewarding rental property owners for their contributions.

Mr. Kraft answers questions from SPOA members and our panel, which includes media personality Mike Urban, who hosts The Mike Urban Show, and news reporter Scott Van Voorhis, who edits the independent newspaper Contrarian Boston. We are also joined by Chris Lehman (CIO, SPOA) and Demetrios Salpoglou (CEO, Boston Pads). 

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the discussion.

SPOA Housing Policy Series
Episode 15
Josh Kraft Mayoral Forum

As an organization, the Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) does not endorse political candidates. Therefore, this conversation is not an endorsement of Mr. Kraft's candidacy by SPOA. However, SPOA extends an open invitation to all candidates to share their views about housing with us, whether they are running for mayor or another office. We bring this information to you for educational purposes, but it is up to you, the voters, to decide the merits of the candidates' positions.