Housing and Community Development Committee

November 18, 2025
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Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting Minutes

Governing Body: Housing and Community Development Committee, Somerville, MA Meeting Type: Committee Meeting Meeting Date: November 18, 2025, at 6:32 PM Attendees:

  • Councilor Kristen Strezo (Chair)
  • Councilor Emily Hardt
  • Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen
  • Ellen Shachter, Executive Director, Office of Housing Stability
  • Yasmin Radassi, Intergovernmental Affairs Department
  • Louisa Oliveira, Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry
  • Rachel McHarris, Director of Economic Development
  • Dana Whiteside, Deputy Director of Economic Development

Executive Summary: The Housing and Community Development Committee convened to discuss critical housing stability issues, the status of an inclusive playground project, and support for small businesses. Key discussions included the significant impact of federal funding changes on housing assistance and eviction prevention, the progress and funding needs for Somerville's first inclusive playground at Kennedy Schoolyard, and the city's strategies for providing financial and technical support to small businesses, particularly in the post-COVID era and during construction disruptions. The committee emphasized the need for creative local solutions and enhanced communication with businesses.

Approval of Committee Minutes

  • ID Number: 251224
  • Discussion: Minutes from June 30, 2025, were presented for approval.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Hardt: Yes
    • Councilor Ewen-Campen: Yes
    • Councilor Strezo: Yes
  • Outcome: Approved (3-0-0)

240075: Director of Office of Housing Stability to Discuss Displacement and Rental Assistance

  • Discussion: Ellen Shachter, Executive Director of the Office of Housing Stability (OHS), presented data and insights on housing stability in Somerville.
    • Volume of Assistance Seekers (January-September 2025):
      • 637 unique Somerville households sought assistance.
      • 49% (312 households) were at imminent risk of displacement.
      • 118 households had received a notice to quit or court summons for eviction.
      • 41% of referrals reported a monthly household income below $2,000, with nearly one-third reporting no income.
    • Rental Assistance:
      • OHS assisted 102 unique families in obtaining rental assistance from federal, state, and city resources.
      • $42,674 was obtained through the state RAFT program.
      • Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) and Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) administered a combined total of $2,593,595 in rental assistance in the first nine months of 2025.
      • Future sustainability of funding for rental assistance programs is a concern due to tightening restrictions and reduced guaranteed revenue sources (e.g., Free Cash, ARPA).
    • Eviction Data (through October 2025):
      • 167 eviction cases were filed.
      • 42 executions (final stage of eviction) were filed.
      • Somerville's eviction rate is 4.1 executions per 1,000 households in poverty, significantly lower than Malden (over 3x higher), Medford (over 50% higher), and Waltham (3x higher), and comparable to Cambridge. This indicates the effectiveness of current programs.
    • Federal Landscape and Funding Changes:
      • Continuum of Care (CoC) Funding: The new HUD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFA) for CoC funding significantly reorients priorities.
        • Only 30% of funding can go towards permanent housing (including Section 8 vouchers, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), and Rapid Rehousing (RRH)).
        • The remaining 70% is directed towards supportive services (mental health, substance abuse, etc.).
        • None of the funding can be used for homelessness prevention.
        • The Massachusetts Balance of State CoC, for which SHC is the main convener, will see a reduction in funds for PSH and RRH from over $27 million to less than $10 million, a cut of almost two-thirds.
        • Councilor Ewen-Campen inquired about the certainty of these cuts, and Director Shachter confirmed the NOFA is live, with applications due in January, and changes are likely unless legal challenges arise.
      • Section 8 Funding Changes:
        • Somerville Housing Authority (SHA) has not issued general Section 8 vouchers in the last six months, including turnover vouchers, and does not anticipate issuing any in the next six months.
        • This impacts the ability to help those in need and potentially affects revenue sources for affordable housing developments.
        • Landlords have been asked not to raise rents, and no terminations due to funding shortfalls have occurred yet.
        • The increase in payment standards to make Section 8 vouchers more usable in Somerville's high-rent market has made the program more expensive, contributing to the retrenchment.
      • Potential Future Federal Changes (Informal Memos):
        • Time-limiting public housing: This could be discretionary for housing authorities, and SHA is hoped to be supportive.
        • Excluding mixed-immigrant households from housing if any member lacks a green card: This is a "wait and see" situation, potentially impacting around 30 households in Somerville.
    • Local Initiatives:
      • Municipally Funded Voucher Program: Somerville has a robust, fully municipally funded voucher program, the first of its kind in the country, tied with public schools. Funding is secured through FY27 but requires creative solutions for future sustainability.
      • Older Adult Bridge Program: Funded by Senator Jalen, this program received $100,000 last year and $220,000 for FY26. It supports seniors (60+, fixed income) applying for public/subsidized housing by paying to keep them in their homes while awaiting placement.
  • Outcome: Kept in committee for ongoing monitoring and discussion.

250140: Resolution by Councilors Boffin, Clingan, and Davis to Dedicate a Memorial to Kenneth Lonergan

  • Discussion: Yasmin Radassi from the Intergovernmental Affairs Department provided an update.
    • Coordination is still needed with School Committee members and the Memorialization Committee.
    • The sponsor has been contacted for more information.
  • Outcome: Kept in committee.

2430070: Director of Parks and Recreation to Discuss Inclusive Playground Accessibility

  • Discussion: Louisa Oliveira, Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry, presented on playground accessibility and inclusivity.
    • ADA Compliance:
      • Somerville's parks have been ADA compliant for at least the last 15-20 years, adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards (passed 1990, updated 2008).
      • ADA sets minimum standards for physical layouts, including ramps, walkway widths (minimum 36 inches), grades (under 5%), surfaces (poured-in-place rubber, rubber tiles, engineered wood fiber), parking, and facilities (ADA-compliant bathrooms, drinking fountains).
      • Challenges exist in maintaining compliance due to factors like tree roots.
    • Inclusive Play:
      • Inclusive play goes beyond minimum ADA standards to create environments where everyone of all physical abilities can participate.
      • Inclusive Swings Project: An initiative by the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities, this project increased the percentage of parks with ADA-compliant swings from 23% to 83%. A new swing model meeting international safety requirements with additional straps is being distributed.
      • Kennedy Schoolyard Inclusive Playground:
        • This will be Somerville's first fully inclusive playground, located at Kennedy Schoolyard, which has a higher percentage of children with disabilities.
        • Project Manager John Brown has engaged extensively with the Kennedy School community (back-to-school night, professional development days, harvest fair, teacher/community surveys).
        • Two community meetings are scheduled, including a virtual meeting on December 2nd, to gather input for the design.
        • Construction is planned for summer 2026, with construction documents to be put out to bid in winter.
        • Funding: The project is in the capital improvement plan but is not yet fully funded.
        • Space Expansion: Discussions are ongoing about expanding the playground beyond the current grass area, potentially by reconfiguring parking, to accommodate both inclusive play features and space for high-energy games.
  • Outcome: Closed and marked as complete.

241008: Director of Economic Development to Discuss Financial and Technical Support for Small Businesses Impacted by Construction and Other Emergencies

  • Discussion: Rachel McHarris, Director of Economic Development, and Dana Whiteside, Deputy Director of Economic Development, presented.
    • Construction Impact:
      • Economic Development typically does not handle construction communication, which falls to contractors and the Engineering Department.
      • Disruptions occur from city projects, private construction, and utility work (e.g., Eversource).
      • There is a recognized need for better coordination and communication, especially for city projects.
      • Future RFPs for city projects could incorporate requirements for more lead time and communication from contractors.
      • Councilor Ewen-Campen raised a specific concern about businesses on Bow Street (e.g., Block Cafe, Barra, Celeste, Fuki, Siam Ginger) losing outdoor dining space due to utility work and still being charged fees. He requested the Mayor's office to address this, noting that Union Square Main Streets had already communicated with licensing and the City Clerk's office.
      • Director McHarris stated that the decision rests with licensing and the Mayor's office, not Economic Development, but acknowledged past discussions about fee adjustments for construction disruptions. She will follow up with Michael Pater (Clerk's office) regarding reimbursement possibilities.
      • Short-term parking disruptions on Bow Street due to construction are also being addressed, with contractors expected to pull back equipment for the Thanksgiving week.
  • Outcome: Kept in committee.

241488: Director of Economic Development to Discuss Immediate Plans and Short-Term Response Efforts to Support Small Businesses Post-COVID

  • Discussion: Rachel McHarris and Dana Whiteside presented on the city's approach to supporting small businesses post-COVID.
    • Post-ARPA Landscape:
      • 2020-2024 was a unique period with significant federal ARPA funding for direct business support ($5 million from the city, $2.3 million in ARPA funds).
      • This funding supported new businesses (30 awards for rent support) and existing businesses (60 enrichment grants for technical support and equipment).
      • Now, the city is returning to a "new normal" where direct municipal funding to businesses is limited by the Massachusetts anti-aid amendment, primarily relying on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
    • Current Support Mechanisms:
      • CDBG Funds: Primarily channeled through Main Streets organizations (East Somerville Main Streets, Union Square Main Streets) for technical assistance, operational support, and business retention.
      • Small Business Office Hours: Weekly virtual sessions bringing together Economic Development, Licensing, Engineering, ISD Health, and ISD Building staff to answer business questions in a non-pressurized format.
        • Typically 3-5 attendees per session.
        • Language services are provided.
      • Small Business Block Walking: Economic Development staff, often with other departments (e.g., Mobility), visit businesses to address issues like parking, mobility projects, and provide information and resources.
      • Urban Agenda Grant (now Community Workforce):
        • The city secured $100,000 this year (no longer available to municipalities).
        • Used for education, certification, and stipends, particularly targeting home-based daycare providers.
        • Provided food safety training in Spanish and Portuguese, with demand for English training.
        • Highlighted the potential for future group-based training programs that comply with anti-aid rules.
      • Partnerships: Close collaboration with Main Streets, the Chamber of Commerce, and other nonprofits to channel funds and provide services that the city cannot directly offer (e.g., landlord tenancy intervention, legal clinics).
    • New Initiatives (Launching in the last month):
      • "Be Loyal to Local This Winter, Love Your Small Businesses" Campaign:
        • A coordinated effort with the city's communications team to shift the narrative around local businesses, especially in areas like Davis Square.
        • Utilizes social media, print media, press releases, and physical advertising (e.g., bus wraps, blue bikes).
        • Runs from Small Business Saturday (November 25th) through February to support businesses during slower months.
        • Key Dates:
          • Small Business Saturday: November 25th
          • Davis Square Holiday Stroll: December 6th (organized by Davis Square Merchants, includes raffle)
          • Union Square Jingle: December 7th (organized by Union Square Main Streets)
          • Eat Out on East: Every Wednesday (promotional activity on East Broadway)
        • Messaging: Emphasizes reasons to shop local, no-cost ways to support businesses (e.g., 5-star reviews, switching to local banks), and encourages business discovery through social media questions (e.g., "oldest business in Somerville," "favorite new client deal").
        • The campaign will leverage the @SomervilleBusinesses Instagram page and citywide social media.
      • City Process Review for Small Businesses:
        • An internal review of licensing and permitting processes to identify and streamline interactions between businesses and city departments.
        • Aims to reduce miscommunication, improve efficiency, and provide better educational resources.
        • Early stages involve engaging internal departments, with future engagement planned for the City Council and business community.
        • Recent Improvements:
          • CitizenServe landing page has been simplified and made more user-friendly.
          • License renewal process improved: online payment available, and alcohol license applications/inspections can now be done concurrently, saving time and reducing paperwork.
    • Future Goals:
      • Explore new funding sources (e.g., Mass Development, Metropolitan Area Planning Council).
      • Develop a "business history" program to recognize long-standing businesses.
      • Consider expanding Main Streets organizations or developing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in other areas (e.g., West Somerville, Magoun Square, Assembly Square).
      • Enhance internal interaction with districts without Main Streets designations.
  • Outcome: Closed and marked as complete.

Adjournment

  • Motion to Adjourn: Made by Councilor Strezo.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Hardt: Yes
    • Councilor Ewen-Campen: Yes
    • Councilor Strezo: Yes
  • Outcome: Adjourned (3-0-0)

Last updated: Nov 25, 2025

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