Apply for Affordable Housing
The Community Development Department's Housing Division addresses the housing needs of low, moderate, and middle-income residents through initiatives that offer affordable housing, especially for families with children.
City of Cambridge Distributes Hundreds of Digital Devices through Digital Equity Initiatives
The Cambridge Community Learning Center (CLC), which provides free job training and educational classes to adult learners, received 360 digital devices through MBI's Connected and Online Program. Additionally, the Cambridge Public Library announced Tech for All in March, a program funded through MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program and the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Through Tech for All, 68 refurbished laptops and 83 mobile Wi-Fi hotspots were distributed to eligible Library patrons, funded by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
Artist Designed Bike Racks
The 1% for Public Art component of the Kendall Square / Main Street project was the creation of artist designed bike racks. Six artists were chosen by an art jury to participate in this project. Each of the selected artists created three or four designs that were represented in a gallery exhibit by drawings, models and artists’ statements. The artists had to balance his or her artistic mission with factors of successful functionality, ease of maintenance, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and economy of cost. During the exhibit and at the April 10, 2012 Kendall Square Public meeting, members of the public were asked to comment and vote on the different designs. Approximately 650 votes were received. On June 4, 2012 the selection committee met and selected 5 bike racks to be used in Kendall Square. The selection committee included city staff, a member of the Bicycle Committee and two members of the Kendall Square Advisory Committee. In making their selection, the committee considered the public input (voting and comments), functionality of the racks, appropriateness for Kendall Square, and artistic interest. Since the initial installation, some of the artist designed bike racks have been moved to new locations throughout the City.
City Funds Three New Affordable Housing Site Acquisitions
In the months of April, May, and June, the Trust supported nonprofit partners in securing 16-28 Porter Street, 1648 and 1654 Massachusetts Avenue, and 729, 735-755 Concord Avenue. As the housing crisis continues both regionally and nationwide, Cambridge continues to work toward ambitious and meaningful affordable housing goals.