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City Manager Yi-An Huang swearing in at a podium in City Hall.

Rising housing costs have become an ever-present challenge to everyone in our city, from young people building lives in our community, to families seeking more space for children, to seniors trying to stay close to family and friends. This issue will provide a broad overview of our key housing-related commitments, initiatives, and investments.

New affordable housing units under construction at 605 Concord Avenue.

Housing Data & Facts

Review some of the latest housing data about market trends, the City’s investment in affordable housing, and other local housing-related facts.

An affordable housing property under construction at 116 Norfolk Street.

Leading Priority and Key Areas of Focus

Affordable housing has long been a top priority for Cambridge, starting with the City Council. In support of this, the City commits substantial resources and works diligently to address affordable housing needs in the community.

A social worker talking to a resident at a table in the Cambridge Public Library.

Accomplishments Over the Past Year

Overall, in FY24, the City is dedicating more than $60 million from a variety of sources to address affordable housing and homelessness. The fiscal year 2023 resulted in a number of key accomplishments.

Park View: a limited equity housing cooperative organized in Cambridge in 1984. It was sponsored by the City of Cambridge as an affordable housing initiative for low- and moderate-income people and received assistance from the City’s Community Development Department. The cooperative consists of 12 units, a mix of one, one and a half and two-bedroom units.

Affordable Housing Trust Expands and Protects Affordable Housing Opportunities

The Affordable Housing Trust has worked to shape housing programs and policies, fund the purchase of residential buildings and development sites for affordable housing developments, and provide funding that preserves and creates affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families in Cambridge. 

A rendering of a view looking north from Concord Ave to a new mixed-use street that would act as a gateway to the Alewife District. Credit: Healthpeak/Elkus Manfredi.

Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Advances New Affordable Housing Development

The final Alewife Rezoning creates the framework for a multimodal, resilient, and sustainable neighborhood with strong community amenities. The adopted zoning increases the number of new homes that can be built and requires housing to be built along with new commercial buildings.

A house at 6 Union Street before being renovated through the Home Improvement Program.

Overview of Rental and Homeownership Programs Offered Through the City

The City offers a number of rental and ownership programs that ease financial burdens, make necessary repairs, and provide educational opportunities.

Work Underway Across the City for New Affordable Housing

There are a series of affordable housing developments underway across the city. See some of the highlights.

A sign extending from a building that reads "Cambridge Multi-Service Center."

Multi-Service Center and Office of Housing Liaison Go Above and Beyond to Help Residents Experiencing Housing Challenges

The Office of the Housing Liaison (OHL) and the Multi-Service Center (MSC) play key roles in addressing housing rights, eviction prevention, and homelessness.

Did You Know?

There are a number of affordable housing services, special events, and cost-assistance programs available throughout the City.

Cambridge Housing Authority and City staff at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a new property.

Partner Profile: Cambridge Housing Authority

The Cambridge Housing Authority, a long-time partner of the City, invests in Cambridge families and provides enhanced support to almost 10% of the city population.

City Manager’s Message

Over the course of the last year plus, I have worked hard to balance the many voices in our diverse community, find consensus within the City Council and follow their direction, and bring forward the professional experience and expertise of City department leaders and staff.

Participatory Budgeting delegates discussing in the chambers

Participatory Budgeting in Cambridge Turns 10!

Participatory Budgeting, a democratic process that empowers community members through civic engagement to decide how to spend part of a public budget, turned 10 this fall.

52 New Street. Construction is expected to begin soon on 107 units of affordable rental housing.

Cambridge’s Commitment to Affordable Housing: Preserving and Creating Sustainable Communities

In the next year, the City of Cambridge will invest over $46.3 million into affordable housing.

Affordable Housing

A Win for Housing Affordability: City Council Adopts Changes to Incentive Zoning

The Cambridge City Council adopted an amendment to the Incentive Zoning Ordinance which will increase funds for the City’s Affordable Housing Trust. Funds received under Incentive Zoning are used by the City’s Affordable Housing Trust toward the creation and preservation of affordable housing.

Library Social Worker Marie Mathieu meets with a client at a neighborhood library branch.

City Staff Provide Critical Support to Cambridge's Most Vulnerable Populations

Cambridge Public Library has a social worker who can help in person or over the phone. The social worker speaks English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Cambridge Multi-Center Staff Help Residents Overcome Barriers to Housing and Access Critical Resources

Cambridge Multi-Service Center Staff Help Residents Overcome Barriers to Housing and Access Critical Resources

The Multi-Service Center helps people who are experiencing homelessness and provides eviction prevention support to help people stay in their homes.

The Almshouse building (CA 1965) still stands at 45 Matignon Avenue and has been home to the International School of Boston since 2005.

The Cambridge Almshouses and Avon Home for Children

From the beginning of English settlement in New England through the Revolutionary War, people in need turned to families, neighbors, and their church for help. Any without support became the town’s responsibility; children might be bound out as apprentices or servants, and adults hired as laborers.

FrostTerrace by Robert Benson Photography

Affordable Housing Basics at a Glance

Applying for housing can be confusing and overwhelming. This article contains basic information on applying for affordable housing.

The completion of Frost Terrace in FY22 brought 40 new affordable housing units to Porter Square. Photo by Robert Benson Photography.

Access to Affordable Housing For All

Housing affordability promotes stability for our residents and allows for building the social, economic, and cultural bonds that strengthen a community. Creating and preserving affordable housing remains the City’s highest priority. In FY22, the City appropriated more than $32 million to the Affordable Housing Trust, bringing the total of City funds committed to the Trust to more than $278 million (FY92-FY22) to invest in affordable housing initiatives.

Volunteers work to plant 40 native species of plants at the Miyawaki Forest at Danehy Park.

Championing Sustainability & Improving Our Community

Urban Forest Canopy. Continued implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) guides development of Cambridge’s tree assets and enables the City to expand the urban forest canopy and be more resilient to climate change.

How can we help?

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