SOMERVILLE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE APPROVES RENT STABILIZATION
Full vote in regular council meeting December 14
ONE YEAR INTO ARMORY PLAN: AN UPDATE
City receives draft of operational models, planning community meetings for the summer
OPINION: COURAGE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT REFLECTED IN OUR STATE LAWMAKERS’ TAX PLAN
[R]ight now, rather than making the investments needed for our Commonwealth to be thriving for all, state leaders are considering giving away hundreds of millions of dollars each year in tax cuts for the ultra-rich and large corporations.
OPINION: A WIN FOR HOUSING JUSTICE IN THE HOUSE BUDGET
Eviction protections for Mass tenants seeking rental assistance could become permanent
CITY SEEKS TO NOTIFY TENANTS AHEAD OF DISPLACEMENT
“To walk around thinking my entire universe that’s grounded in my housing could go away at any point … I think everything we can do to provide ample and adequate notice to tenants is really helpful. The more notice a tenant can have, the more opportunity they have to act,” Rep. Mike Connolly said.
DOES UNION SQUARE NEED ANOTHER LAB BUILDING?
Developer reveals new plans to replace block of shops with commercial structure (Somerville Wire) – In the heart of Union Square, the new 450-unit apartment building and the seven-story lab building are nearing completion. Last week, the owner of a block of buildings just across Prospect Street from the new buildings held their first public […]
BACKYARD COTTAGES NOW ALLOWED ‘BY RIGHT’
Council makes it easier to create accessory dwelling units (Somerville Wire) – Carriage houses, backyard cottages, “tiny houses,” and other accessory dwelling units can now be created “by right” anywhere in a Neighborhood Residence district in Somerville. The City Council voted unanimously at their Sept. 8 meeting to enact amendments to the City’s zoning code […]
COMMUNITY LAND TRUST CELEBRATES ITS FIRST AFFORDABLE HOMES
Ribbon cutting this Wednesday for five new condos in Union Square (Somerville Wire) – Somerville is celebrating the first acquisition of permanently affordable homes on community-owned land this week. The five-unit condo building at 7 Summer St. in Union Square is the first development project of the Somerville Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that […]
TENANTS RALLY IN FRONT OF 6-8 MORTIMER PLACE
Protest “tidal wave of gentrification sweeping the new Green Line Extension corridor” (Somerville Wire) – Responding to soaring rents and increasing economic uncertainty, the Community Action Agency of Somerville organized a protest last Friday in support of three Brazilian families who are at imminent risk of displacement in September, after a new landlord bought their […]
AFFORDABLE CONDOS FOR SALE
Eleven deeply discounted units currently available via lottery (Somerville Wire) – In collaboration with two private developers, the City is currently offering 11 new condominium units for sale at below-market rates. The opportunity to apply for these homes is open to those who currently live in Somerville or work at least 32 hours per week […]
