City Funds Acquisition of Future Affordable Housing Site

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 acquisition of this 26,000 square-foot lot is an accomplishment representative of the City’s ongoing commitment to addressing the housing affordability crisis.

Located in the Baldwin neighborhood, 31–37 Mellen Street is close to public transit, local retail, and community resources—making it an ideal site for a vibrant residential community. While CHA is in the early stages of planning, they hope to eventually construct 90 to 110 family-sized apartments.

“This acquisition is an important step toward addressing the urgent need for affordable housing,” said Chris Cotter, City of Cambridge Housing Director. “It reflects the essential work of the Affordable Housing Trust and trusted partners like CHA to strengthen our community by creating homes that allow families to live and thrive in our city.”

In the coming months, CHA will begin the community engagement and planning process, providing opportunities for community input to ensure the project integrates seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood.

"The acquisition of the Mellen Street property is a tremendous opportunity to provide much-needed housing stability for Cambridge families," said Michael Johnston, Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority. "This project underscores our dedication to expanding housing opportunities and supporting the diverse needs of Cambridge’s low- and moderate-income families."

The City of Cambridge Housing Department and CHA will share updates on the project timeline and details of upcoming community meetings as they become available. Community members can sign up to receive email notifications about Affordable Housing Overlay projects, including community meeting announcements, here.