And even beyond the conflict over individual reforms to rent control lies a huge gulf in opinion about the system itself.

Owners have long opposed rent control, arguing that the city's program benefits many tenants at the great expense of approximately 500 owners.

Opponents also say that the city's stock of rent-controlled housing is fated to deteriorate physically over time, since owners charging low rents are often unable to fund upgrades. And owners contend that even when they do find funds for structural improvements, the city does not allow them to raise rents enough for them to recoup their losses.

According to Jillson, SPOA is in the process of orchestrating a legal challenge to rent control. She says that the group has raised $20,000 towards the $100,000 it has determined necessary for litigation, and plans to file with the courts later this year.

Jillson denies that threatening to sue is only a scare tactic meant to sway council votes. "When you are denied continually, you figure you have nothing to lose, so you'll be as outrageous as possible," she says.

Cambridge's lower-income tenants, on the other hand, support the system--and for the first time last election voted a pro-rent control majority into the council. Over the past month, many have testified to the council that without the low rents guaranteed by the rent control system, they would be homeless