100 Percent Affordable Housing Overlay
Adopted by the City Council in October 2020 and amended in 2023 and 2025, the 100%-Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) is designed to help affordable housing developers create new, permanently affordable homes more quickly, predictably and efficiently. The AHO allows the creation of new, permanently affordable housing that is denser than what might be allowed under base zoning, and offers a review process through which new affordable housing can be approved more efficiently.
To review the Affordable Housing Overlay zoning provisions: see Article 11.207
Design Guidelines for Affordable Housing Overlay Developments have been expanded to apply to all Multi-Family Housing: see here.
Read the City's 5-Year Progress Review of the Affordable Housing Overlay, published in spring 2026.
Housing Development Dashboard
Explore housing development projects in Cambridge with the interactive Cambridge Housing Development Dashboard. This tool gives clear information for projects at every stage of development, starting January 1, 2025. To learn more about the housing development process visit the Neighbors' Guide to Housing Development.
Completed AHO Projects:
Proposed AHO Projects in the Pipeline:
Upcoming AHO Public Meetings:
More Information:
For updates and information, subscribe to the 100%-Affordable Housing Overlay email list.
Learn more about how the idea for the 100%-Affordable Housing Overlay was generated, including materials related to the adoption of the ordinance.
For general questions about the AHO or to discuss potential AHO projects, please contact Cassie Arnaud, Senior Manager for Housing Development at carnaud@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4617.