Search
To search the entire City of Cambridge Web site go to the
main Search page for the City web site.
Creating a new ECKOS system
More than five acres of new and renovated public open space will be created in Kendall Square and Eastern Cambridge over the next few years. The Eastern Cambridge Kendall Square Open Space (ECKOS) Planning Study is working to shape these new parks.
/CDD/parks/osplanning/ecambkendallparks/creatinganeweckossystem
Homeownership Program Review
As part of the ongoing Homeownership Program Review process, the Housing Division is inviting current owners of affordable homes to attend an information and feedback session. These meetings are being held to provide an overview of the proposed recommendations to some of the program terms, including the way units increase in value and whether units can be passed through inheritance.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/affordablehomeownershipprogramreview_dec2023
Multifamily Citywide
In March 2024, the City Council passed Policy Order 2024 #37, which asked the Community Development Department “to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee to create zoning language that effectively promotes multifamily housing, including income-restricted affordable housing with the goal of having viable housing for everyone especially lower-income residents.” A series of Housing Committee meetings will be held to discuss the proposal throughout the summer and fall of 2024. Additional information will be posted here as the proposal is developed.
/CDD/Projects/Zoning/multifamilyhousing
52 New Street Lottery Information Session
Website + Constant Contact:
Marketing Underway for New Affordable Housing at 52 New Street Apartments – Information Sessions on April 28
Just A Start (JAS) is holding a second lottery for up to 20 of its one- and two-bedroom affordable housing rental units at 52 New Street in Cambridge and to fill the waiting list for units as they become available. Supported with funding from the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust, 52 New Street was the first development to be approved under the Affordable Housing Overlay. Construction is complete. Residents selected in this round will begin moving in by late June to July 2026.
Applications for the remaining units are now available until May 20 at 3 p.m. Please visit here to complete the application online.
JAS will be hosting an information session on April 28 at 1 p.m. online. Please visit www.52NewStreetApartments.com to register for the information session. A lottery will be held on May 22 at 3 p.m. via Teams. Attendance is not required.
For more information on 52 New Street, please visit JAS’s project page at: https://justastart.org/52-new-street/. For more information about the application process and the upcoming information session, please click on the flyer here or email 52NewStreet@Wingatecompanies.com.
/CDD/Calendar/2026/04/28/52newstreetlotteryinformationsession
Central Square Rezoning - Community Meeting 3
Please join the Central Square Rezoning Project team for our final community meeting regarding potential updates to the zoning for Central Square. This meeting will begin with a presentation by City staff focusing on what we've heard thus far and how that has informed the preliminary zoning recommendations. It will be followed by a robust public discussion where community members can share their feedback and input.
/CDD/News/2024/9/centralsquarerezoningcommunitymeeting3
Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Owned (BIPOC) Business Advisory Committee
The goal of this Committee is to work with City staff to develop recommendations on how the City can better assist BIPOC-owned businesses.
The Committee will be a sounding board for ideas on strengthening the City’s outreach efforts, information-sharing, business programs and policies, and overall relationship with local BIPOC-owned businesses.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/bipocbusinessadvisorycommit...
Bicycle WikiMap
The Cambridge Bicycle WikiMap allows location-based suggestions and input about facilities for bicycling in Cambridge. Comments submitted through the WikiMap will be regularly evaluated and taken into account for future planning efforts.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bikesincambridge/bicyclewikimap
16-28 Porter Street
16-28 Porter Street is a 12,920 square foot vacant lot located in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood, a location surrounded by many amenities such as Twin city Plaza, Gold Star Mothers Park, and the Lechmere MBTA station. It was acquired by the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) in April 2026 with financial support from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (CAHT). The site is expected to be developed under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/1628porterstreet
12-14 Laurel Street
12-14 Laurel Street is a 2.5-story duplex in Cambridgeport between Central Square and the Charles River. The property is owned by a non-profit who is donating the 4,573 square foot site to Just A Start (JAS) to create permanently affordable ownership housing. The existing building will be demolished and replaced with a new, expanded building with a similar façade design.
The project will proceed as-of-right under the AHO.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/1214laurelstreet
31-37 Mellen Street Acquisition
The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), with financial support from the City of Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (AHT), has successfully purchased 31-37 Mellen Street from Lesley University. The site will be developed into affordable housing designed for families.
/CDD/News/2026/01/3137mellenstreetacquisition