Somerville news blog city forum massachusetts journal newspaper MA

Housing Subscribe to this category's feed

Comment Period on Amendment to MPO Public Participation Plan

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:09 pm on February 8, 2010

Comment Period on Amendment to MPO Public Participation Plan

Starts: Mon. Feb. 8
Ends: Thurs. Mar. 25

Amendment (PDF)

This is the beginning of the 45-day comment period on the MPO Public Participation Plan to shorten or waive the public comment period on certification documents.

Ordinarily…

Read More.>>

Posted in Bicycles, Buses, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Housing, Pedestrians, Special, Traffic & Parking, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Petition to Oppose the Senior Housing Zoning Amendment

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 4:45 pm on February 7, 2010

Read More.>>

Posted in Civic Action, Development and Zoning, Housing, Seniors | 1 Comment »

Volunteers Needed! Foreclosure Canvassing

Posted by rokhlita a 10:00 pm on February 1, 2010

Our neighbors are being evicted and our community destabilized by the foreclosure crisis! The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) in collaboration with Cambridge & Somerville Legal Services (CASLS) has initiated a foreclosure outreach and organizing campaign in Somerville.

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Special | No Comments »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 7:16 pm on January 31, 2010

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues., Feb. 16, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the rescheduling of the Feb. 9 Phase 3 planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will begin specifying…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Bicycles, Buses, City Finances, Crime, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Health Care, Housing, Immigration, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Somerville By The Numbers, Special, Traffic & Parking, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 7:31 pm on January 24, 2010

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting

Mon. Jan. 25 7:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Housing and Community Development Committee. The agenda includes discussing the…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Visioning Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 3:03 pm on January 18, 2010

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Visioning Meeting

Tues., Jan. 26, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the last Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will finish the vision statement.

The goal of…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Health Care, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Special, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Why Commissions Can Improve Our Community

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 3:01 pm on

Why Commissions Can Improve Our Community

Sat. Jan. 30 1:30 PM

Somerville Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a workshop from the “How to” Series for Civic Engagement by the Office of Somerville Commissions. It discusses how commissions, such as the Human Rights Commission…

Read More.>>

Posted in Accessibility, All Ages, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Events, Health Care, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Somerville Housing Authority Promises Use Of Land For Community Garden At Clarendon Hill Public Housing Development

Posted by rokhlita a 4:30 pm on January 6, 2010

Paul Mackey, the Deputy Director of the Somerville Housing Authority, stands with Clarendon Hill Garden Committee members Cliff Pitts, Jocelyn Scott, and Bing Wei, on the land designated for the resident community garden…

Read More.>>

Posted in Environment and Open Space, Housing | 4 Comments »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Visioning Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 9:52 pm on January 4, 2010

This is the second Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will review the citizen inputs from the earlier SomerVision meetings and pull them together into the beginning of a vision statement.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Somerville By The Numbers, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Assembly on the Mystic 2nd Annual Holiday Drive

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 9:34 am on December 15, 2009

Assembly on the Mystic 2nd Annual Holiday Drive

Sat. Dec. 19, All Day

Assembly Square Marketplace
Somerville MA (map)

Flier (PDF)

To benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition, marked containers will be located this coming Saturday outside each store in the Assembly Square Marketplace so…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special | No Comments »

House Bill No. 1747 is a danger to tenants

Posted by Knut Dorker a 10:45 am on December 8, 2009

House Bill No. 1747  at the State Legislature plans to give “housing rights” to alleged victims of domestic violence, would endanger the neighboring tenants and  place huge burdens on small landlords. The bill would block eviction, failure of renewal of any self-claimed victim of domestic violence, stop rent increases, allow non-victims to easily abuse the…

Read More.>>

Posted in Housing | 40 Comments »

Public Meeting on Green Line Extension Maintenance Facility Alternatives

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:03 pm on December 6, 2009

Public Meeting on Green Line Extension Maintenance Facility Alternatives

Wed. Dec. 16 6:00 PM

Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center
41 2nd St.
Cambridge MA (map)

Submit written comments at the Green Line Extension project’s Share Your Opinion e-mail site.

This is a Public Meeting…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation, Transportation Projects | 1 Comment »

Ward 7 ResiStat Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:02 pm on

Ward 7 ResiStat Meeting

Thurs. Dec. 10, 5:30 PM

Tufts Admin. Building (TAB)
167 Holland St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Trane, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 7. Similar meetings are held in all other wards…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Somerville By The Numbers, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Deckerman and Morse-Kelley Playground Renovations

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:01 pm on

Deckerman and Morse-Kelley Playground Renovations

Wed. Dec. 9 7:00 PM

Library
John F. Kennedy School
5 Cherry St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a public community meeting to discuss the renovations of the Dickerman and Morse-Kelley Playgrounds on Craigie Street, close to Wards 3, 2, 5, and 6…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Help CAAS stop foreclosures and evictions in Somerville

Posted by rokhlita a 5:29 pm on December 1, 2009

Our neighbors are being evicted and our community destabilized by the foreclosure crisis. …

Read More.>>

Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | 1 Comment »

Community Members Set Priorities for Green Line Extension

Posted by Jennifer Lawrence a 2:15 pm on

Community ratifies set of 11 principles for land use planning along the Green Line extension.

Read More.>>

Posted in Bicycles, Buses, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Press Release, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Planning Board and Land Use Committee Meetings

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 5:50 pm on November 29, 2009

Planning Board and Land Use Committee Meetings

Thurs. Dec. 3
6:00 PM – Planning Board
7:00 PM – Joint Meeting

3rd Floor Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the joint meeting of the Somerville Planning Board with the Land Use Committee…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Public Meeting re: Senior Housing Zoning Amendment

Posted by eila a 6:42 pm on November 27, 2009

From SOMERVILLE, MA City website: There will be a joint public hearing by the Board of Alderman Land Use Committee and the Somerville Planning Board regarding proposed amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to define senior housing types, add design guidelines, establish Senior Housing Zoning and Dimensional Requirements and incorporate relevant parking requirements. WHEN: Thursday, December 3rd at 7:00 pm

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | 5 Comments »

Thanks Giving

Posted by Columbine a 10:31 pm on November 25, 2009

It’s a bit of an awkward holiday for Somerville Homeless Coalition this year.  Hard times have gobbled up all the resources, the gravy train (state aid) crashed, people are mashed and squashed into emergency housing like never before, and SHC is cran-buried in new requests for help with food and shelter.  But you can help for mere beans!…

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Housing | 1 Comment »

Ward 5 ResiStat Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 8:38 pm on

Ward 5 ResiStat Meeting

Tues. Dec. 1, 7:00 PM

Cafeterium
John F. Kennedy School
5 Cherry St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 5 Alderman O’Donovan, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 5. Similar meetings are held in all other…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Bicycles, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Somerville By The Numbers, Special, Traffic & Parking, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Ward 2 ResiStat Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 8:37 pm on

Ward 2 ResiStat Meeting

Mon. Nov. 30, 7:30 PM

Argenziano School
290 Washington Street
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 2 Alderman Heuston, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 2. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Somerville By The Numbers, Special, Traffic & Parking, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Green Roofs Forum

Posted by Vanessa Rule a 11:21 am on November 13, 2009

Please Join Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, Somerville Climate Action and Transition Somerville for a Forum on Green Roofs: Installing green roofs in Somerville Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:00pm to 9:00pm Visiting Nurses’ Association Community Room, 259 Lowell Street One hour presentation followed by one hour discussion

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Consumer Money Saving, Environment and Open Space, Housing | No Comments »

BOA Committee on Housing and Community Development

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:11 pm on November 1, 2009

BOA Committee on Housing and Community Development

Thurs. Nov. 5, 7:00 PM

2nd Floor Conference Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is meeting of the Aldermanic Committee on Housing and Community Development is important because the Committee will discuss the proposed MBTA maintenance…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation, Transportation Projects | 1 Comment »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 8:22 pm on October 23, 2009

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Oct. 27, 6:30 PM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the second October meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The subcommittees will meet and the committee as a whole will review the Land Use…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Som. Green Homes Open House 10/3

Posted by Vanessa Rule a 9:00 am on September 30, 2009

Three Somerville Climate Action members are opening their homes to show what they have done to reduce their carbon footprint, create green jobs, make their homes more comfortable, and save money.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Announcements, Consumer Money Saving, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing | 2 Comments »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 3:25 pm on September 27, 2009

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Sep. 29, 6:30 PM

3rd Floor Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the second September meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The subcommittees will meet and the committee as a whole will review the…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:12 pm on September 13, 2009

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Sep. 15, 6:30 PM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the kickoff meeting for the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. This committee is intended to provide input to a comprehensive plan for developing the city. The…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Public Health & Safety, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Housing Trends in Somerville

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:00 pm on

Housing Trends in Somerville

Mon. Sep. 14, 6:30 PM

Cafeteria
Capuano Early Childhood Center
150 Glen St.
Somerville MA (map)

This important meeting, sponsored by the City of Somerville, provides an opportunity for citizens to learn about and give their views on housing in Somerville.

For background…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Events, Housing, Special | No Comments »

Somerville Homeless Coalition 5K Road Race

Posted by Columbine a 11:09 am on September 7, 2009

Have you signed up yet for the Road Race benefiting the Homeless Coalition?  If you haven’t

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Public Health & Safety, Special, Sports | No Comments »

Housing Trends in Somerville

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 8:35 pm on August 23, 2009

Housing Trends in Somerville

Tues. Aug. 25, 6:30 PM

Tufts Admin. Building (TAB)
167 Holland St.
Somerville MA (map)

This important meeting, sponsored by the City of Somerville, provides an opportunity for citizens to learn about and give their views on housing issues in Somerville.

For background and…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special | No Comments »

Lively Election Picks Tenant Executive Board

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 10:02 am on August 11, 2009

Election Day in July?  Yes, for residents of Clarendon Hill Public Housing Development.

This summer, the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) helped the Clarendon Hill Tenant Association (CHTA) to hold elections.  Twelve candidates ran for the CHTA Executive Board, making this the most competitive election in recent memory. 

Tenants Jose…

Read More.>>

Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Housing | No Comments »

Pig Pickin’ for Somerville Homeless Coalition

Posted by Columbine a 3:12 pm on August 7, 2009

Pig out and enjoy a cool drink and cooler music to benefit SHC!

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Announcements, Arts and Culture, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | No Comments »

First official Somerville Weatherization Barnraising!

Posted by Vanessa Rule a 3:07 pm on

Take action on climate change, learn skills, and build community! · Help to weatherize a Somerville house · Learn skills you can take back to your own home · Decrease carbon-emissions · Make new friends. … Here’s your chance to make a difference and learn something in the process…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Civic Action, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing | 4 Comments »

Somerville Housing and Land Use Joint Committee Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:07 pm on July 26, 2009

Somerville Housing and Land Use Joint Committee Meeting

Wed. July 29, 7 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville  MA (map)

Agenda (MS DOC)

This is a joint meeting of the Housing and Community Development and Land Use Committees. On the…

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Metropolitan Area Planning Council Data Day Conference

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 5:36 pm on July 12, 2009

sponsored by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to provide information on what planning information is provided by the Commonwealth and how to access it. * Data sources for public health effects of VOCs in I-93 and McGrath corridors. * Data sources for economic development along Green Line.* Data sources for transportation development impact equity.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Events, Health Care, Housing, Immigration, Public Health & Safety, Transportation | No Comments »

A Foreclosure Map of Somerville

Posted by Alain Jehlen a 10:11 pm on June 8, 2009

Here’s a link to a map that shows 99 foreclosed properties in our city. Are we surprised that they are concentrated in the east and northeast?

Here’s a link to a somewhat shorter list without a map.

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | 15 Comments »

Supply Drive for Somerville Homeless Coalition

Posted by Columbine a 8:38 pm on June 5, 2009

Drop off from 9 to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 – see list of items needed

Read More.>>

Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing | No Comments »

Forum on Gentrification and Displacement

Posted by MatanBY a 8:09 pm on May 12, 2009

Forum on Gentrification and Displacement!
Thursday, May 14th, 6 PM
Elizabeth Peabody House
277 Broadway (at Broadway & Grant Street) Somerville, MA 02145

Gentrification and Displacement

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Civic Action, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Politics | No Comments »

Tufts’ Experiment in Philanthropy Helps Tenants, CAAS

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 12:31 pm on

Thanks to Jessica, a senior in the Tufts class entitled “Experimenting with Philanthropy,” CAAS will receive $1,800 to hire youth interpreters to help the residents of Clarendon Hill build a stronger tenants’ association.

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Housing, Immigration, Neighborhoods and Squares, Tufts | No Comments »

6th annual Save Our Homes walk

Posted by Columbine a 9:23 pm on April 14, 2009

Walk to raise funds for emergency assistance to individuals and families teetering on the brink of homelessness.

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing | No Comments »

SHC fundraiser “Under the Roof”

Posted by Columbine a 8:58 pm on

Rock out and chow down to keep our neighbors off the streets!

Read More.>>

Posted in Arts and Culture, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing | No Comments »

Walk to Save Our Homes in Somerville

Posted by Melissa McWhinney a 11:02 pm on April 10, 2009

I’m inviting you to please either become involved, or send a pledge to me, to support the 6th annual Walk to Save Our Homes.  This is an effort to raise money that will be used to keep Somerville families and individuals from homelessness.  This 5K walk is on Sunday April 26, registration at 1:30 in front of the Somerville High School Atrium, with the walk itself starting at 2:00. You can support this effort in any one of four ways.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Housing | No Comments »

Support the Proposed Condo Conversion Ordinance – Speak Out Now

Posted by fberman a 3:01 am on February 23, 2009

On March 3rd, the Somerville Board of Aldermen will hold its hearing on the proposed Condo Conversion Ordinance. If you are a Somerville homeowner, you know that the Libertarian, Cambridge-based Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) — which mailed letters to every Somerville homeowner — is seeking to derail that legislation by disseminating inflammatory and baseless claims about how passage will result in plummeting property values and escalating property taxes.

Read More.>>

Posted in Development and Zoning, Government Reform, Housing | 18 Comments »

Radical Community Discussion on the Economic Crisis with Steve Meacham

Posted by rokhlita a 10:07 am on February 20, 2009

What is going on with our economy? How is the economic crisis affecting local issues? What can we do? This Sunday, February 22 at 7pm, come to the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) in the heart of Union Square (in the old police building above Precinct 116) to participate in a discussion about the…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing | No Comments »

Radical Community Discussion on the Economic Crisis with Steve Meacham

Posted by rokhlita a 9:58 am on

What is going on with our economy? How is the economic crisis affecting local issues? What can we do? This Sunday, February 22 at 7pm, come to the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) in the heart of Union Square (in the old police building above Precinct 116) to participate in a discussion about the economic crisis and how it is affecting affordable housing. …

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Economy & Poverty, Housing | No Comments »

Union Square Hearing–6:30 on Thursday at City Hall

Posted by Adam Rich a 3:49 pm on December 1, 2008

Please join the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee (AHOC) and Save Our Somerville (SOS) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for the hearing of the Union Square Zoning Ordinance at City Hall. We are very concerned that the proposed Union Square zoning does little to protect affordability in the area.

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Development and Zoning, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | No Comments »

Get Up, Stand Up After the Election

Posted by Dennis K. Fischman a 6:57 pm on November 10, 2008

One week ago, Somerville went overwhelmingly for Obama-Biden. To keep the promises made by the Obama campaign, the Obama Administration will need all the help it can get. We in Somerville should do our part to help–and to keep the politicians honest.

Here is a very partial and incomplete list of campaign promises that I think Obama should keep:

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Health Care, Housing, Immigration, Politics, Workers' Rights | No Comments »

An attack on condo conversion control

Posted by Jonathan Rich a 1:03 pm on October 31, 2008

I just got a robo-call from the “Small Property Owners Association” telling me that I should email my alderman and demand that all condo conversion controls be eliminated. It also urged me to attend the BOA meeting on November 18. We’ve had some discussion on this site about gentrification. Well, I can’t think of a better way to promote gentrification than to wipe out large numbers of rental units via condo conversion.

Read More.>>

Posted in Development and Zoning, Housing | 5 Comments »

Get Healthy for the Holidays: Amethyst Center Hosts Holistic Health Open House/Fundraiser for Somerville Homeless Coalition

Posted by Dorie Clark a 9:33 am on October 27, 2008

As cold autumn weather approaches, Davis Square’s Amethyst Center announced today that it is hosting a “Get Healthy for the Holidays” open house offering refreshments and holistic health treatments. The short treatments—available in exchange for a suggested $10 donation to the Somerville Homeless Coalition—include: acupuncture; shiatsu; massage; craniosacral therapy; naturopathy consultations; reiki and other energy balancing sessions. Participants are also encouraged to bring gently-used or new blankets to donate to the Coalition.

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Economy & Poverty, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | 1 Comment »

CAAS seeks Executive Director

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 9:55 am on September 3, 2008

The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is seeking an Executive Director to start January 1, 2009. Please refer to our website for more information: www.caasomerville.org.

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Economy & Poverty, Housing | No Comments »

Hamilton Retires, Was CAAS Director Over 25 Years

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 12:40 pm on August 14, 2008

When Jack Hamilton began serving as the Executive Director of CAAS (the Community Action Agency of Somerville), Ronald Reagan was President, postage stamps cost 20 cents, IBM had just introduced the first personal computer running on MS-DOS, and PacMan-mania was sweeping the country. After more than a quarter-century of service to Somerville’s low-income residents, Hamilton has announced he will retire as the head of Somerville’s anti-poverty agency at the end of 2008.

Read More.>>

Posted in Economy & Poverty, Housing, Immigration | No Comments »

Matt McLaughlin of SOS on Union Square rezoning: Don’t let residents be forced out.

Posted by Alain Jehlen a 9:05 pm on July 21, 2008

Note: We’re planning to run a range of views on the rezoning of Union Square.
This one is from Matt McLaughlin, president of Save Our Somerville.

The Green Line is coming through, which is a great step forward for Somerville. I look forward to jumping on the Green Line and going into Boston. But where am I going to live? ……

Read More.>>

Posted in Development and Zoning, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Transportation | 14 Comments »

Sustainability Scavenger Hunt at ArtBeat

Posted by fberman a 7:43 am on July 4, 2008

Sustainable Somerville — a nascent network of community organizations working to make/keep Somerville a great place to live, work, and play — is sponsoring a Sustainability Scavenger Hunt at ArtBeat (Saturday, July 19th in Davis Square), to show how the common thread of sustainability connects the work of the

Read More.>>

Posted in Arts and Culture, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Housing, Uncategorized | No Comments »

National Council on DisAbility Seeks Your Input

Posted by eila a 11:12 pm on June 26, 2008

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD’s next annual progress report to the President and Congress, “National Disability Policy: A Progress Report,” which is required by Section 401(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Read More.>>

Posted in Accessibility, Arts and Culture, Government Reform, Health Care, Housing, Politics, Schools and Youth, Sports, Transportation, Workers' Rights | No Comments »

AHOC meeting

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 1:45 pm on June 10, 2008

Please join us for this important AHOC meeting as we discuss our leadership, prepare for the Union Square meeting Zoning on June 24th, plan for a busy summer in the green line corridor and get updates on the Condo ordinance!

Read More.>>

Posted in Development and Zoning, Events, Housing | No Comments »

CAAS to Elect Board: Candidates Wanted

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 11:07 pm on April 22, 2008

Do you want to help set the direction for Somerville’s anti-poverty agency? The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is seeking candidates—and voters—for its Board elections, coming up the week of May 19th at two locations in Somerville.

Read More.>>

Posted in Consumer Money Saving, Housing, Politics, Schools and Youth | No Comments »

April 27 Walk to Prevent Homelessness

Posted by Linda Conte a 9:47 pm on April 9, 2008

Come one, Come all. On April 27 afternoon (1:30pm registration), the 5th Annual Walk to Prevent Homelessness in Somerville will again take off from the Somerville High School.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Housing | 1 Comment »

Auction to Benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition

Posted by Linda Conte a 5:59 pm on April 6, 2008

Thalia Tringo is looking for items for a silent auction at the Somerville Homeless Coalition fundraiser on April 26, 2008. Each auction item will have a value of $250 or higher, but some of them will be combined packages (e.g, a night-out-on-the-town item consisting of a gift certificate for $100 to a Boston restaurant and…

Read More.>>

Posted in Housing | No Comments »

Gentrification: another look

Posted by Jonathan Rich a 1:18 pm on April 4, 2008

I’m frequently seeing the word “gentrification” employed to describe the demographic change taking place in Somerville since the late 1990s. We’re certainly seeing changes, but I question how much of it is gentrification.

When the term came into general use it described a revival of old and run-down neighborhoods by well-to-do…

Read More.>>

Posted in Housing | 6 Comments »

A Guide To Tax Breaks

Posted by the editors a 10:30 pm on April 2, 2008

Many residents are eligible for a property tax break. Are you? Find out.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Consumer Money Saving, Housing | No Comments »

Gentrification in Somerville

Posted by Alain Jehlen a 9:55 pm on March 20, 2008

Gentrification—when wealthy people push less wealthy people out of a neighborhood. It’s about to get worse when the Green Line arrives. Here’s a provocative film about it.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Housing | 16 Comments »