What's New & Exciting

• For upcoming community meetings and classes go to the Community Calendar.
• We are now accepting applications for 35 affordable homeownership units developed under the City’s Housing Programs. These units are located throughout the City and will be made available to income eligible first-time homebuyers with incomes up to 100% AMI. Units range in size from studio to three bedrooms. Application Deadline: Monday, December 8, 7:00 P.M. at Cambridge Community Development Department, 344 Broadway, 3rd Floor.
• Shop Inman by Moonlight on Thursday, December 11, 2008 - Enjoy holiday shopping for a change! Escape the malls and journey to Inman Square for holiday gifts at some of the most unique shops in the area. Watch live mannequins and holiday carolers, take part in a community walking tour, experience art and music, visit with Santa or relax and enjoy a meal in our great restaurants. The Square will be bustling with activity! Come and make an evening at Inman Square, Cambridge. Visit InmanSquare.com for special events and promotions.
• Community members are invited to participate in a Wellington-Harrington Neighborhood Study Update meeting on Saturday, December 13, 2008, from 9:30 A. M. to 12:30 P. M. at the King Open School (850 Cambridge Street). Meet with Community Development Department staff working in a variety of different areas, and discuss planning topics including land use and zoning, transportation, economic development, open space and housing. Review past recommendations and planning work done by the City, and discuss new recommendations to address current neighborhood planning issues.
• We are accepting applications for 37 affordable rental units developed under the City’s Housing Programs. These units are privately owned and managed. The City of Cambridge is assisting in identifying eligible applicants with incomes up to 80% AMI. Residents in affordable rental units will pay 30% of their monthly income for rent & utilities. Information sessions will be held Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 10:00 A. M. and Monday, December 22, 2008 at 6:00 P. M at the City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 2nd floor. Applications are due Monday, January 5, 2008 by 7:00 P. M. at the Community Development Department offices at 344 Broadway, 3rd floor.
• The Economic Development Division has scheduled a number of workshops for small businesses or those interested in starting a small business. Upcoming workshops include Business Literacy on December 19 . More information is available in the latest edition of the Economic Development Newsletter.
• FREE Lead Paint Abatement Services to Qualifying Tenants and Landlords. The Lead-Safe Cambridge program is now accepting applications from qualifying Cambridge landlords and their tenants for its popular lead paint abatement program. The program offers up to $10,000 for deleading and up to $2,500 for soil mitigation for low-to moderate income occupants. Deleading typically involves replacement of old windows and doors. Call the Lead-Safe Cambridge Information Line at 617/349-5323 for more information or to inquire about enrolling your property before 2009.
• An updated listing of the 25 Largest Cambridge Employers is now available, including links to the employment web sites of all listed companies and organizations.
• Attention Cambridge Tenants and Landlords! You may qualify for home improvement services through the Lead-Safe Cambridge Program! Test your soil for lead and learn what you can do to make your soil safer. Lead-Safe Cambridge's Safer Soil Program offers information and expertise.
• During the month of December the first time homebuyers workshops will not be offered. Classes will resume in the month of January. Please contact us during the first week of December for more information on the January dates.
• The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the City of Cambridge have begun the reconstruction of one Little League baseball field, one full-size soccer field, and one half-size soccer field at Magazine Beach in Cambridge. For more information.
• A map of recent changes to the Massachusetts Avenue Overlay District in the vicinity of Porter Square is available.
• New Bicycle Markings help to share the road. See more information on Shared Lane Pavement Markings.
• The Economic Development Division is pleased to announce the publication of the 2008 version of the Women and Minority Owned Business Directory.
• The Third Quarter 2008 Development Log is now available.
• Learn about homeowner foreclosure prevention resources.
• A variety of resources about biotechnology are available through the Economic Development Division, including the brochure Cambridge Biotech: The Brains of Biotech The Heart of Innovation, a listing of Cambridge's life science companies. In addition, a map of biotechnology company locations throughout the City is available.
• Our detailed map of Cambridge, the only map of the City showing the direction of one way streets, is now available for viewing on line. View the Getting Around in Cambridge Map. Paper copies of the map are available at the Community Development Department office and at City Hall. For a copy of the map as well as bulk orders, contact Rosalie Anders at 617/349-4604.
• The City of Cambridge and the Henry P. Kendall Foundation have launched a major new energy initiative called the Cambridge Energy Alliance. The initiative will operate as a non-profit organization and will provide services and financing to dramatically increase energy efficiency in Cambridge buildings of all types. In addition, the initiative will assist installations of renewable energy systems and combined heat and power systems where appropriate. Residents, businesses, and others can register their interest on the Cambridge Energy Alliance web site.
• Did you know that the City Hall Annex at 344 Broadway, the location of the Department's office, is a green building? Learn More. This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

Affordable Housing