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Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust

The Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust was established by the City Council in 1988 with the mission of expanding and protecting affordable housing opportunities in Cambridge. The Trust is composed 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 ongoing 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.

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 2,450 affordable rental and homeownership units in Cambridge.

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:

Current Trust Report

2000 Trust Report

1993 Trust Report

MEMBERSHIP

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

• Robert W. Healy, Managing Trustee
• Beverly Bates
• Peter Daly
• Florrie Darwin
• Michael Haran
• Gwendolyn Noyes
• Susan Schlesinger
• James Stockard, Jr.
• William Tibbs

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.

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.

Trust agendas and minutes from meeting 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.