Cambridge Disperses Over $87,000 Within Days of Fire

Over the past three days, the City of Cambridge has produced $64,200 in checks and provided $23,400 in gift cards for the families displaced by the December 3, 2016, fire in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood. As more families complete the verification process - which begins when they register with the Red Cross - the City will continue to issue gift cards and initial funding. In the days and weeks ahead, the City will be distributing additional assistance beyond this initial funding to those impacted by the fire.

“The kindness and generosity we have witnessed since Saturday has been phenomenal,” said Mayor E. Denise Simmons. “In just four days, we have raised over half a million dollars to help the people impacted by this devastating fire start to rebuild their lives. The people who have lost everything in this fire have also gained something – the sense that thousands of their neighbors and fellow residents are standing with them, rooting for them, and rallying to their side. As mayor of this city, I could not be prouder of our community response.”

The Mayor’s Fire Relief Fund's online donation page met the City’s goal of $500,000 on Tuesday, December 6.

“The collaboration among various Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s agencies, the Cambridge Community, our partner organizations, and the public at large is making it easier for people to begin the recovery process,” said City Manager Louis DePasquale. “I would strongly encourage any family or individual displaced by the fire to visit the resource center at City Hall to connect with the recovery services available. I am proud that we have been able to provide $87,600 in immediate assistance within 3 days of the fire.”

The Disaster Recovery Resource Center on the 2nd floor of City Hall will remain open for the rest of the week, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Of the 75 units affected, the American Red Cross has already interacted with residents from almost 70 units.

The City is also focused on identifying permanent rental housing for tenants and property owners displaced by the fire. Any Cambridge property owner with permanent rental housing that could be offered to victims should call 617-349-4321. Housing needs include both affordable and market-rate housing, with a particular need for housing with three or four bedrooms that can accommodate families. To date, 11 families have been placed in new permanent housing and additional families are being assessed and processed.

The City Manager’s Office and the Mayor’s Office are working with a housing team that includes several City departments, the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Cambridge Housing Authority.