Description
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee will vote on FY26 allocation percentages and project recommendations in the areas of Affordable Housing, Open Space / Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Each year, the City is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual CPA revenue to each category. The remaining percentage can be used towards any of the three funding categories.
The hearing will be held virtually through Zoom.
To view the meeting, register in advance:
https://cambridgema.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lKQ-rEauQtyBdCBLEJpPTw
CPA Meeting Agenda (link to PDF)
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
- Summary of Process
- Review & Adopt Minutes
- Review of Public Comments Received Through September 3, 2025
- Review Project Requests Book and FY26 Finances
- Committee Vote on Allocation Percentages
- Committee Vote on Projects
Background
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was created by state law (G.L. c. 44B) to help cities and towns preserve the character of their community. In 2001, Cambridge residents voted to adopt the CPA locally, which allowed the City of Cambridge to implement a 3% surcharge on Property Tax bills to fund eligible projects.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides "matching" funds in addition to those raised locally by the surcharge. The percentage of the state match varies from year to year, depending on two factors: the amount of fees paid at Registries of Deeds throughout the state, and the number of communities that have adopted the CPA locally (thereby receiving a share of the state match).
Additional information is available on the CPA Committee website, Cambridgema.gov/cpa