Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust

Scouting Way

Created by the City Council, the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust was established in 1989 with the mission of expanding and protecting affordable housing opportunities in Cambridge. The Trust is comprised of a nine-member board that includes experts in housing policy, finance, development, design, and advocacy. The Trust serves as both a policy advisory board and a loan committee, meeting on a monthly basis throughout the year to review proposals for new housing preservation and development efforts and other housing programs, and to discuss affordable housing policy. The Trust has a long-standing commitment to creating high-quality housing that is well-integrated into the greater community and that will remain affordable for future generations. Some of the criteria the Trust uses when reviewing proposals for new programs, policies, and housing developments include:

  • Creation and preservation of long-term affordability;
  • High-quality sustainable design to benefit housing residents and the surrounding neighborhood and community;
  • Use of energy-efficient materials, and environmentally-friendly construction techniques;
  • Emphasis on the creation of family-sized housing (units with two or more bedrooms); and,
  • Leveraging of Trust funds by other public and private financing sources.

Through its affordable housing development and acquisition programs, affordable housing preservation programs, first-time homebuyer assistance programs, and its rehab programs, the Trust has helped thousands of families and individuals afford to remain in the Cambridge community.

Read about the Trust's accomplishments in the Affordable Housing Trust: Celebrating 30 Years report (PDF) 

The Trust offers predevelopment, acquisition, construction, and permanent financing to support the efforts of local housing development organizations to create new affordable housing units, preserve existing affordable housing, and finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing properties. The Trust also provides direct assistance to income-eligible families seeking to purchase their first home. Since its inception, the Trust has provided financing for the creation and preservation of 2,600 affordable rental and homeownership units in Cambridge.

The Trust encourages applications from affordable housing providers and developers interested in requesting City funding to assist in the creation of permanent affordable housing in the city.

REPORTS

For more details about the Trust along with descriptions of projects funded by the Trust, please click on one of the Trust Reports listed below:

MEMBERSHIP

Members of the Affordable Housing Trust are appointed by the City Manager and include the City Manager as an ex officio member. 

View the current membership of the Affordable Housing Trust on the Open Meeting Portal

Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

The Affordable Housing Trust usually meets fourth Thursday of each month at 4:00 P.M. in the Ackermann Room at City Hall, except as noted.

Trust meeting dates can be found on the City Calendar of Events here. Please check the calendar to confirm the time and location of particular meetings.

Date Agenda Minutes Materials

 January 26, 2023

 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 February 23, 2023

 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 March 23, 2023

 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 April 27, 2023

 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials 

 May 25, 2023

 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials
 June 22, 2023  Agenda Minutes  Meeting Materials 

August 2, 2023

 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials
 August 24, 2023   Meeting cancelled
 September 28, 2023 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials
 October 26, 2023 Agenda Minutes  Meeting Materials
 December 7, 2023 Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 January 11, 2024

Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 January 25, 2024

Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 February 22, 2024

Meeting postponed to March 6, 2024. 

 March 6, 2024

Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

 March 28, 2024

Register here to watch.

Agenda Minutes Meeting Materials

Trust agendas and minutes from meetings prior to the current year can be found here.

For More Information

For more information contact Chris Cotter at 617-349-4634 or ccotter@cambridgema.gov.