CREF Policy Update: D.C. Rent Freeze Initiative Misses November Ballot

September 1, 2026

D.C. Rent Freeze Initiative Misses November Ballot

Initiative 88 failed to meet the July 6, 2026, deadline to qualify for the November general election ballot, amid ongoing litigation challenging the measure.

Formally titled the Rent Control and Housing Eligibility Adjustment Amendment Act of 2026, Initiative 88 would impose a two-year rent freeze and additional restrictions on future rent increases, along with other changes to Washington, D.C.’s housing policies.

Go deeper: A pending lawsuit initiated by Housing D.C.’s Future, a coalition led by the Apartment and Office Building Association of Greater Washington (AOBA), blocked signature collection ahead of the July 6th deadline.

In addition, the Fair Initiatives Lend Transparency to Every Resident (FILTER) Act, currently pending before the D.C. Council, would require ballot initiatives to address a single subject, a provision that could further threaten Initiative 88’s viability because the measure contains multiple distinct subject matters.

Why it matters: MBA, through the Housing Solutions Coalition, has collaborated with industry partners to oppose the proposal and highlight concerns regarding the potential impact of restrictive rent-control policies on housing supply and investment. The initiative’s failure to qualify for the November ballot postpones the immediate threat posed by the proposed rent freeze while legal challenges persist.

What’s next: While the initiative will not appear on the November ballot, the issue remains unresolved. Proponents may continue to advance the measure in a future election, with the earliest opportunity likely being a special election in spring 2027. The FILTER Act is scheduled for consideration by the D.C. Council on Sept. 22, 2026.

If Initiative 88 is approved by voters, implementation would remain subject to D.C. Council appropriations.
MBA will continue to collaborate with coalition partners to monitor ongoing litigation and oppose policies that could further restrict housing supply and investment in the District.

For more information, please visit MBA’s Rent Control Resource Page, or contact William Kooper (202) 557-2737 or Liz Facemire (202) 557-2870.

MISMO Fall Summit Attracts Record Attendance and Tackles Industry Issues

The 2026 MISMO Fall Summit brought together a record 433 attendees to address issues shaping mortgage finance, including responsible AI, data modernization, credit scoring and eMortgage adoption. Workshops helped participants apply FRAME, MISMO’s AI governance framework, and explore standardizing the Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement.

Why it matters: Lenders need effective AI governance programs to meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines and manage AI responsibly.

What’s next: This fall, MISMO will release additional FRAME resources and webinars and establish a workgroup to discuss standardizing the Tri-Party agreement. The next in-person MISMO Summit will be held January 11–14 in New Orleans, with workgroups meeting virtually through the rest of the year.

For more information, please contact Amy Moses at (202) 577-2764.

Advocacy in August Connects MBA Members With Policymakers

MBA members have been actively and highly engaged during congressional meetings initiated via MBA’s Advocacy in August program outreach, participating in meaningful conversations with elected officials and candidates across the country.

Recent discussions in Washington state, Missouri, Illinois, Maryland, and Texas have elevated elected officials/candidates firsthand understanding on a series of topics including housing affordability/supply, tax policy, Terrorism Risk Insurance, government funding, and other key federal policies impacting communities and the commercial real estate finance ecosystem.

Why it matters: These conversations give policymakers valuable insight into how policy decisions affect their constituents and strengthen the industry’s voice on issues that matter both locally and nationally.

What’s next: Keep the momentum going by registering for MBA’s MAA Pre-Election Webinar on September 15 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET. The webinar is complimentary for MBA and MAA members with promo code MAA2026, and registration automatically joins or renews your annual MAA grassroots advocacy membership.

For more information, please contact Jamey Lynch, AMP, at (202) 557-2818 or Mike Fiegoli at (202) 557-2708.

Upcoming MBA CREF Council and Committee Meetings

MBA’s CREF Councils and Committees are a key way to connect to everything MBA has to offer around policy, advocacy, market intelligence and research, education, and networking. Visit www.mba.org/yourCREF to find out more. Councils and Committees are built around specific capital sources and serve as an opportunity for you to join other commercial real estate finance professionals to hear from experts, discuss opportunities and challenges, and connect with peers.

Upcoming virtual meetings include:

For more information, click on the links above and/or contact Kelli Burke at (202) 557- 2742.

Upcoming MBA Education Webinars on Critical Industry Issues

MBA Education continues to deliver timely commercial/multifamily and single-family programming that covers the spectrum of challenges, opportunities, obstacles and solutions pertaining to our industry. Below, please see a list of upcoming and recent webinars – all complimentary to MBA members:

Decoding Blanket Property Insurance for Commercial and Multifamily Properties – Sept. 10
AI in Commercial Real Estate Finance: The AI-Powered Originator and Relationship Manager – Oct. 5
AI in Commercial Mortgage Finance: Intelligent Deal Screening and Pre-Underwriting – Nov. 2
Overview of Commercial/Multifamily Insurance Compliance – Nov. 5
AI in Commercial Mortgage Finance: Intelligent Document Processing Beyond OCR – Dec. 7

MBA members can register for any of the above events and view recent webinar recordings by clicking here.

For more information, please contact David Upbin at (202) 557-2931.

Back to Full Issue