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City Seal of Cambridge
City of
Cambridge
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.
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.
Image of Cambridge City Manager Yi-An-Huang
City Manager's Message
An overview message from the City Manager outlining the budget process, the City's financial stability and the importance of transparency on how we spend our money
Winter is Coming. Are You Ready. Photo by Kyle Klein.
Winter is Coming... Are You Ready?
With the winter season upon us, this article reminds residents and property owners of their responsibilities per City Ordinance regarding snow and ice removal following a storm.
Mattress Collection
Textiles and Mattresses Banned from Trash Disposal
The City of Cambridge offers a free Mattress Recycling Program, but pickup must be scheduled. Residents can schedule a textiles pickup or use one of 12 drop-off sites.
Illustration of a rat
Tips for Controlling Rodents
Placing all food waste in locking compost carts is one of the best ways to combat rodents.
Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park in East Cambridge.
Fostering Neighborhood Vitality & Open Spaces
The last two years have highlighted the importance of access to outdoor open space. In FY22, the City launched the Our Parks, Our Plan process to develop an action plan for the City’s open space network, applying an equity lens to criteria that include park access and climate resilience.
The City's Community Engagement Team and Cambridge Police collaborated on door-to-door outreach.
Redefining Community Engagement
In FY22, the Community Development Department (CDD) established a Community Engagement Advisory Group for staff to share best practices and reflect on strategies to make engagement more inclusive and equitable. This Group developed a handbook on inclusive and equitable engagement best practices which will be published in September 2022. The handbook, which uses an anti-racism and equity lens to approach planning, implementation, and reflection of community engagement strategies, will be used to increase participation in public processes and programs.
City staff hand out free at-home COVID-19 test kits.
Supporting Youth and Families, Seniors, & Veterans
Preschool, Childcare, and Afterschool programs, a part of the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP), returned to in-person care and child-centered programming in September 2021.
Cambridge Police Department is pursing a gold standard in accreditation.
Commitment to Public Safety
The City Council approved a budget of $2.8 million for the creation of a Department of Community Safety (CDCS) that will coordinate community driven solutions to enhance safety and wellness through key services and programs targeted at our most vulnerable populations. CDCS will oversee the Cambridge Alternative Response Program and other efforts to supplement Cambridge Public Safety agencies in making the community a safer place to live, work, and experience for all.
City Manager Louis A. DePasquale and Cambridge Public Health staff at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
City of Cambridge Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Continued through FY22
Since March 2020, the City and its partners have made enormous strides in the fight against COVID-19 and its subsequent variants. As of May 2022, over 93% of Cambridge residents have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 77% are fully vaccinated. The City has built the necessary public health, communications, testing, and vaccine infrastructure needed to scale operations quickly to meet any emerging need in Cambridge.
Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale, with his family: daughter, Kristen, wife, Cheryl, and son, Louis at the unveiling of the new Universal Design playground sign.
Message from the City Manager
A message from City Manager Louis A. DePasquale on the strength of this City and how departments, leadership, and staff work collaboratively with our elected officials.
Diagram of the Cambridge Alternative Response Program
Proposed Community Safety Department to Offer Alternative Response to Non-Violent and Behavioral Health Crisis 911 Calls
The City of Cambridge is proposing a new Community Safety Department (CSD) that will coordinate community driven solutions to enhance safety in the community, with key services and programs targeted at our most vulnerable populations.
Photograph of young children taking part in an arts and craft activity at a round table
Developing Universal Pre-K
The Birth to 3rd Grade (B3) Partnership is serving as the lead office in the design, development, and implementation of the City’s system of Universal Pre-K
Louis A DePasquale Universal Design Playground Photo by Cambridge Arts
Creating High Quality Open Spaces
The last two years have highlighted the importance of access to outdoor open space.
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