Housing

The key issue is allowing a larger supermarket in Assembly Square at a location that should be dedicated to high-rise office and R&D space.More…

Agenda gives no specifics. There are committees on resident services, public safety, major projects, and finance. To find out the specifics, come and listen. More…

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville, yet very few people attend these hearings. More…

Agenda includes four substantial residential projects and only a couple of small commercial projects. This is the wrong policy emphasis. More…

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville. More…

This project is controversial because the proposed cycle track could remove parking spaces. More…

The Committee to Elect Mark Niedergang invites you to enjoy delicious free food from Redbones, Taco Loco, and Gauchão , fun entertainment, good company, and provocative discussion at a party and fundraiser to kick off Mark’s campaign for Ward 5 Alderman. Alex the Jester will entertain. State Representative Carl Sciortino (Somerville/Medford) will speak.

Many Somerville houses still have asbestos insulation and cladding. Inhaled asbestos can cause cancer. Streamlining procedures will make removing it less expensive.

Come, look, listen, and participate. Neighbors and other stakeholders should assert their interests early rather than late.

The SHA Annual Plan is a requirement of Federal funds for housing for low and moderate income families, the elderly, and the disabled.

Agenda gives no specific issues, but includes resident concerns, major projects, and finance.

Come, look, listen, and participate. Neighbors and other stakeholders should assert their interests early rather than late.

Agenda likely includes discussing the Community Preservation Act, the coming Green Line Extension, the Davis Square Visioning process, and the Porter Square Visioning process.

Agenda will likely include discussing the implications of the passage of the Community Preservation Act as well as citizen concerns about services and public safety.

Agenda likely includes discussing the implications of the passage of the Community Preservation Act on revisions to the Historic Preservation Commission Guidelines.

2012 election year rhetoric features “The market versus the state”, “Big capital versus big government”, and so on. What about creating a web of collaboration where no one is in charge because everyone is in charge?

Andy Wiley-Schwartz will join Visiting Scholar Aaron Naparstek to discuss a groundbreaking approach to urban planning and design that has led to the construction of more than 50 new plazas and 21 acres of new public space in New York.

Agenda includes the presentation to the Planning Board of the RA/RB Report, which recommends changes to make residential zoning more comprehensible and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

This meeting is intended to solicit input from the community on ideas for reconstructing Beacon Street. Changes to Beacon Street can affect people from Porter Square to Inman Square.

Come and ask questions. The Federal HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville.

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Board of Aldermen to discuss and vote on the revised Union Square Revitalization Plan. Come and observe. Citizen presence is the most important check and balance in governance.

This meeting is called by the Somerville OSPCD to describe planned changes to Beacon Street. Changes to Beacon Street can affect people from Porter Square to Inman Square.

Agenda will likely include parking lots in Assembly Square in addition to routine cases.

Agenda includes a Public Hearing on the Union Square Revitalization Plan and discussion by the Board of Aldermen meeting as a whole.

Agenda includes report on whether covenants with IKEA and FRIT apply to future purchasers of the IKEA site at Assembly Square. Approval of Union Square Revitalization Plan.

Agenda includes routine modifications and demolitions, the proposed guidelines changes, and the Assembly Row Historic Enhancement Project.

Agenda includes changes to the Assembly Row Special Permits requesting more parking spaces for blocks 4, 5, 6.

Agenda includes the Assembly Square 2002 Revitalization Plan authorization for a Minor Plan Change naming the IKEA parcel as an Acquisition Parcel and Disposition Parcel.

A crowd of 80 Union Square residents and other Somerville supporters gathered last night to proclaim Union Square as the heart of diversity with their message: “We support an affordable, diverse Somerville: Let’s keep Union Square a place for everyone!”

Agenda includes the Assembly Square 2002 Revitalization Plan, the Union Square Revitalization Plan, and the proposed SRA website.

Agenda not available. The Trust manages payments made in lieu of affordable housing units required by the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, along with revenues from loans made by the Trust.

The agenda includes resident concerns and reports of the executive director and committees.

Are you itching for information about how to avoid bed bugs?  Bed bug experts from Somerville and around New England will address a Bed Bug Summit, June 15th, sponsored by the Community Action…

Ward 6. which includes Davis Square and part of Porter Square, may be affected by the proposed zoning change for Elm Street and Somerville Avenue.

Public notice includes an ordinance amending the Somerville zoning code to encourage urban agriculture.

Agenda includes the acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave., the status of Assembly Square and Union Square, and the creation of a web page for the SRA.

Agenda includes the FY 2012 budget.

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville.

Ceremony marks the start of retail/residential construction of Phase I of the Assembly Square mixed-use development.

Now that the Somerville Comprehensive Plan has been endorsed by the city and adopted by the Planning Board, I would like to pass along a suggestion.

The ResiStat meetings provide an opportunity for citizens to hear what the city government is doing and for the city government to hear citizen’s concerns.

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville.

Agenda includes adopting the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda likely includes a resolution of support for the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes Magoun Square, Union Square, and the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes five antenna proposals: 844 McGrath Hwy., 331-333 Broadway, 49 Davis Sq., 15 Weston Ave., 114 Highland Ave.

This session explores how progressive transportation and planning policies can strengthen a city’s economy, encourage exciting new urban development, and improve quality of life and long-term sustainability.

This session explores how grassroots, Internet-empowered “tactical urbanism” concepts are changing the way we plan, design and program urban public space.

Agenda includes Magoun Square, Union Square, Somerville Avenue, planned bridge repairs by Mass DOT, and the Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes Assembly Square Blocks 1 and 4 and small changes to the Assembly Square PUD. Adopting the Somerville Comprehensive Plan may be deferred.

This is a joint meeting of the BOA Land Use and Housing and Community Development Committees. The agenda includes adopting the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes evaluating whether the City should adopt the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Progressive urban planning requires not only urban transformation, but also neighborhood enhancement and conservation.

Public participation in designing neighborhood T-stops is essential to their success. Come and make your views known.

Join Mass Senior Action in telling the MBTA…”Bail Out the Riders, Build Massachusetts!”

The letter to resistat previously posted on SV is copied below. The response (which follows)  was posted on the resistat blog within 72 hours of the letter’s submission.…

Next to road repairs, community housing has the most immediate effect of all City programs on the day to day lives of Somerville residents. Come and make your views known.

Agenda includes status reports on Assembly Square and the Green Line Extension, acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave.

Agenda includes the proposed rezoning of Somerville Ave. and Elm St. between Porter and Wilson Squares, which is controversial.

Community corridor planning is essential to making the best use of the new Green Line T-Stops. Come and make your voices heard.

Agenda includes routine variances, such as 143-145 Cedar St. (10 unit residential), 11-15 Holland St. (fast-food restaurant), 39-43 Elmwood (3 buildings, 9 unit residential).

Agenda includes Assembly Square Order of Conditions (OOC) for changes to Block 3 and to Shore Drive in Ten Hills.

Fuel Assistance is available based on the total annual income of all members of a household who are eighteen years or older. This year, to be eligible, a household size of 1 must be making less than $31,218 annually while a household of 4 can be making up to $60,035 annually.

Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.

Agenda includes resident concerns and report of committees on Resident Services, Public Safety, Safety, Major Projects, and Finance.

Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.

Agenda includes (16 Linden St.) a variance to add a 5-unit residence to a lot that already has a 3-unit structure and (485 Mystic Valley Pkwy.) convert the Mystic Water Works property into 60 affordable housing units.

Agenda not available (1/1/12). The Design Review Committee provides design criteria, guidance and recommendations to permit applicants. Its mandate is to maintain and enhance the natural, aesthetic, and cultural heritage of the City and to preserve the value of land and buildings.

Agenda includes converting the existing Mystic Water Works into a 25 unit affordable housing apartment building.

The City of Somerville submitted a variance application on December 2, 2011 that stated that a “proposed secondary stair case” was being considered for the west sidewalks of Lowell St. Bridge into the future Max’sGreen. Since there’s already a staircase less than 200 feet away, why does the City want to waste 109K of public funds on that second staircase?

Hope you will all join us for a great evening of music featuring Liv Taylor, Jennifer Kimball, the Upper Crust, The Darlings, the Chandler Travis Philharmonic and many more great musicians. All proceeds benefit the…

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St., a controversial development that includes residential and a replacement for the existing VFW club.

Agenda not available (11/29/11). This meeting will most likely discuss property tax percentages for fiscal year 2012.

Agenda includes 485 Mystic Valley Pkwy, a project converting the exising Mystic Water Works into 25 affordable units of housing and replacing an existing office building with 35 affordable units.

Agenda includes the acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave. and updates on Assembly Square and Union Square. Note: the Somerville Redevelopment Authority does not have a web page.

Although there appears to be  a lot of neighborly opposition to SCC’s 181 Washington Street proposed development at this time, the Boston Society of Architects is calling it an “active project.” Below, information about the…

The comment period ends 11/23/11. This is your chance to provide input to Federal guidelines on access by persons with disabilities.

These meetings are an important way to make your needs known to Somerville government. Show up and make your voice heard.

October, 2011:  The Somerville Community Corporation is organizing strategy sessions to get more affordable housing in Somerville by “strengthening our city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance.”

The Community Access Project has placed a FOI request to the…

The group will review the draft comprehensive plan document and discuss the stakeholder’s presentation.

Agenda includes public hearings on proposed developments at Blocks 1 and 4 of Assembly Square. These developments help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Agenda likely includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Block 3, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Agenda will likely include the Avalon Bay developments at Blocks, 1, 3, and 4 and may include prospects for further development.

The group will review the zoning change maps, begin to review the comprehensive plan draft document, and create a map describing future transportation improvements.

Disabled residents of Somerville experience disproportionate poverty, substandard housing conditions, and face pervasive exclusion, even in the city’s inclusionary and affordable housing opportunity programs. Today, a FOIA request was lodged to learn how four influential nonprofits guide the City to step up to its obligations to affirmatively further Fair Housing for economically disadvantaged residents.

Although the City of Somerville is well aware that the Armory facility is still inaccessible at the entrance ramp, the Mayor continues to hold important events and meetings here. At the same time, the Architect and Owner continue to claim that various City Departments are refusing to accept an accessible design. Who’s benefitting from this back-and-forth?

Free walking tour highlighting American Tube Works complex, workers’ housing in Duck Village, and brick row houses along Summer Street with refreshments served at India Palace.

The agenda includes upgrades to a building on 70 Inner Belt Road.

The agenda includes removing a loading area from the Block 10 restaurant at 133 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square.

Ward 7 Alderperson Candidate Joan Whitney Puglia is proving to have a keen awareness of conditions around town.  Her mention of Dilboy Field‘s tot lot and baseball field has the Community Access Project members…

Saying, “the Community Preservation Act (CPA) could generate millions of dollars for affordable family housing, open space and historic preservation”, Ward 7 alderman candidate Joan Whitney Puglia has announced her support for a city-wide referendum seeking adoption of the Act.…

So far—and rightfully so—Somerville activists have framed proposed development of 378-382 Somerville Avenue as a displacement issue. As predicted, the advent of the Green Line to Union Square would mean gentrification; 378-382 Somerville Avenue, site of proposed luxury condos, is the first incursion.…

The agenda includes 343 – 351 Summer St. (site of the existing George Dilboy VFW Post #529) to build a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units with parking lot.

Rising rents, increased privately-funded housing development, excessive rental burdens, and physically inadequate subsidized housing stock are contributing to Somerville’s transformation into an less diverse, more expensive place to live.

Collaboration beats what we see in Congress, and…in…the Planning Board’s “solution” to Union Square affordable housing.

The agenda includes a public hearing on another extension of the IKEA permits and a continuation of the 378-390 Somerville Avenue development, which is controversial.

The agenda includes annotating city maps with possible locations of transformational districts, neighborhood infill districts, and other land use categories.

The agenda includes a (continued) public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and also a hearing for constructing a restaurant in Assembly Square.

Among other business, the agenda includes converting an auto parts warehouse business to personal trainer and artist studios.

The MRC recently redesigned their brochure for the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP). This is a well-funded state low-interest loan program for projects to allow elders, adults with disAbilities, and families with children with disAbilities to keep living independently. Information for Somerville residents included in this post.

Potential zoning changes include architectural design, height, uses, setbacks, dimensional configuration, and parking for each of the key gateways: Wilson Square, Somerville Avenue, White Street, Elm Street, and Mossland Street, as well as the MBTA Air Rights.

The agenda includes expanding an existing restaurant use on Washington Street.

Calling all music lovers! Four Boston area musicians will be hosting a benefit concert for the Somerville Homeless Coalition, aptly-titled “An Evening of Music, Bach & Bolling.”…

Among other business, this meeting will deal with the proposed self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Ave. in Assembly Square, and with changes to the design of 100 Temple St. (St. Polycarp Redevelopment).

These meetings provide an important opportunity to weigh in on the direction Somerville is setting for its future.

SOMERVILLE – 02/15/2011 — Best Rate Insurance today announced that it has donated $500 to the Somerville Homeless Coalition. As part of the Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation’s “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” program, Arbella matched the donation two-to-one, resulting in a total contribution of $1,500 to the Somerville Homeless Coalition.…

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

This is the meeting to get to! The group will begin a city-wide land use map showing the proposed development areas and their categorizations.

Union members and community activists concerned about jobs at the future MaxPac development on Clyde Street held a meeting on Jan 4th.

Cases include revision to a special permit for 199 residential units at 56-61 Clyde Street and review of six ZBA cases.

Residents of Somerville concerned about the development of the old MaxPak paper factory where 199 units of new housing are being built will picket and rally for jobs at the entrance to the site (56-61 Clyde Street) in Somerville, MA on Thursday, Dec 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 AM.…

This meeting gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

Large Retail Cluster Parking: Proposal is to double the parking requirement for large retail (> 25,000 s.f.). Staff believes that because Somerville has little parking available, the effect will be to discourage suburban format in Somerville. Developers would have to build parking garages, which is expensive.

The joint subcommittee meetings will address conflicts between worthy goals. For instance, increasing tax revenue by commercial development may conflict with increasing affordable housing and maintaining neighborhood character.

At this meeting, the group will review the draft Comprehensive Plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

The e-mailed agenda includes the following:

* MBTA Green Line Maintenance Facility, including air rights and a possible stadium.
* Support for Green Line Extension to Route 16
* Impacts of Green Line track layout around Brickbottom
* Traffic redesign for Union Square

The Somerville Homeless Coalition is hosting the 2nd Annual Tina DeLellis Luncheon on October 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at The Highland Kitchen. The luncheon is held in memory of Tina DeLellis…

Please come to a Sleeping Bag Rally (bring your sleeping bag & pillows to show that everyone needs a place to sleep)

Thurs, Oct 14, 6-7:30 PM

Outside City Hall

On Sept…

First, James Madden with the Campaign to Protect Affordable Housing discusses campaign initiatives, November’s ballot Question 2 concerning 40B affordable housing, and whether or not it should be repealed. In the previous episode, Joe and KyAnn interview Jed Lippard, Head of School at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School. Only on Greater Somerville

This is the regular planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will finish reviewing the policies and actions.

Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

Lace up those sneakers and get ready to run. The Somerville Homeless Coalition is holding their 15th Annual 5K Road Race October 2nd, starting in Davis Square.…

Public input is needed on accessibility, waterfront and water activities design, and pedestrian and bicycle access along Foley Street.

The HUD grants are applied to the problems of homelessness, affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and parks and open space. Citizen input is helpful in setting priorities.

299 Broadway (Ocean State Job Lot): Denied. Assembly Square PUD (Assembly Square Drive subdivision): Approved. 90 Union Square: Continued. 425 Broadway (wireless equipment): Approved, on to ZBA. 221 Morrison Ave. (historic B&B): Approved, on to ZBA. 25 Hamlet St. (barn replaced with duplex): Approved, on to ZBA. 42-44 Boston Ave. (deck and stairs): Approved, on to ZBA. 270 Cedar St. (9 residences, parking space count variance): Special Permit withdrawn, variance approved, on to ZBA. Staff not available to do minutes, CD recording available on request.

A program and workshop on adapting your home to support your needs as you get older.

Wednesday, September 29th, 5:30-7:30

167 Holland St., 2nd floor, wheelchair accessible

If you or someone you…

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments. This meeting deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments.

(Part 3) 61 Medford Street. Liquid Nitrogen tank at Biogen, safety concerns, approved. 13A Beacon. Expand windows, replace other windows. Approved. 26 Wheatland St. Condo construction without permit, halt order. Triple permit fee charged. 24 Fairmount. Permit to rectify a basement apartment, never legal. Accepted staff recommendation. 162 Highland. Vote to reaffirm previous rate.

(Part 2) Public hearing on Ocean State Job Lot at 299 Broadway. Four in favor, twelve against. One report of possible grocery store. Written testimony accepted until noon Friday, August 27. Discussion to resume Thursday, Sept. 2, at 6 PM.

(Part 1) The Planning Board voted 5-0 to DENY the special permit to subdivide One Benton Road to add a second condo development for the reason that no conditions could assuage the issues of public safety, devaluation of neighbors’ property, previous character of the site, and scale. [COMMENT: The city evidently expects litigation as a result of this decision.]

This year’s tournament will be held at the Wayland Country Club in Wayland, Mass, September 10th. … All proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization and the programs and services it provides to the homeless and near-homeless in Somerville and the Greater Boston area.

Seven new Green Line train stations are planned to open in 2015, impacting existing Somerville residents and housing in many ways. Community Corridor Planning (CCP) is a grassroots coalition made up of people who want to preserve and expand diversity and affordable housing in Somerville.…

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. This meeting will deal with an ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville development, Ocean State Job Lot at 299 Broadway. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments.

This is a rescheduled meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. The original meeting was scheduled 8/19. This meeting deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments: One Benton Road and Ocean State Job Lots at 299 Broadway.

Currently the Steering Committee is working on policies and actions to implement the plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

Starting this Friday (August 6), four rising seniors from Somerville High’s Track and Cross Country teams will “trek” from a spot near the Quabbin Reservoir to the Aquarium Wharf (approximately 80 miles) to raise funds to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition.…

299 Broadway (Ocean State Job Lot): Case postponed. 90 Hudson Street: Granted unanimously. One Benton Road: Heard testimony of traffic study, hearing to be reopened, Executive Session to be scheduled to deal with litigation strategy. 67 Florence St.: 2/3 variances denied. 16 Browning Road: Variance allowed unanimously. Historic Group C Designation: Approved with understanding that a person who wants out should say so and BOA is to investigate the case and decide.

At issue was consolidating an undesignated historic property at 221 Morrison Avenue (near Davis Square) with two previously designated properties on Morrison (222 and 197) to form the Morrison Avenue Historic District. The two owners of 221 Morrison Ave. were present to testify in favor. Passed after discussion. Question addressed of why designate single buildings? Answer: easier to execute than a whole street.

At this meeting we will be discussing the policies and actions derived from the comprehensive plan goals. This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

This meeting is important because it deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments. At this meeting, the Planning Board is scheduled to hear testimony on the Ocean State Job Lots special permit (a Large Format Retail use at 299 Broadway) and may address the 1 Benton Road special permit.

This meeting is important because historic districts on the one hand preserve historic properties for later generations, and on the other hand can prove expensive and inconvenient for property owners in the district.

This meeting is important because it provides an early opportunity to influence future plans for Davis Square.

This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This meeting is open to the public.

This meeting is important because charter amendments are always important, and adopting the Stretch Energy Code will reduce environmental impact throughout Somerville.

This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

This meeting includes a continuation of the 1 Benton Road case, which has proved controversial.

The 7th annual Save Our Homes Walk will be held on Sunday, May 16 at 2:00pm with registration beginning at 1:30pm.  The Walk begins and ends at Somerville High School’s Atrium and all are welcome…

At this meeting, citizens will evaluate professional designs and documentation for the Green stations in your neighborhood.

This meeting is important because it begins work on sustainable station designs for the Green Line Extension.

This meeting is important because it provides background information on sustainable station designs for the Green Line Extension.

This meeting is important because it relates to Green Line Extension economic development around Magoun Square.

“I hope you all get some power someday, so you’ll know what it’s like to have to satisfy your constituents’ demands with a limited budget.”

This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition will hold its annual dinner April 24th at the Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville beginning at 6:00 pm.  The dinner will recognize three people important to the…

Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing

Wed. Apr. 14, 6:00 PM

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

Agenda Not Available (4/11/10)

This is…

Planning Board Meeting

Thurs. Apr. 15, 6:00 PM

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

Agenda Not Available (4/11/10)

This is the regular…

2010-2011 HUD Action Plan Public Hearing

Thurs. Apr. 8 6:30 PM

Ralph and Jenny Center
9 New Washington St.
Somerville MA

[Facility is near the corner of Inner Belt Rd…

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues. Apr. 6 6:30 PM

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

This is the third planning meeting…

Patrick T. Randolph, editor of Empty Shoes, and Mary ElizaBeth Peters, author of Unto the East, will host a shared reading and author discussion of their poetry works at Calvary Methodist Church in Arlington next…

Through a question to the ResiStat blog, I recently learned this fact which makes one wonder why Mayor Curtatone has been pushing so hard for a new Senior Housing Ordinance

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues., Mar. 9, 6:30 PM

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

This is the second phase 3…

Under the Roof, an event recognizing 25 years of support, housing and community by the Somerville Homeless Coalition and honoring Karen LaFrazia, one of our founding board members and now executive director of the St…

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting

Mon. Feb. 22 6:00 PM

Somerville City Hall
2nd Fl. Comm. Rm.
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the regular…

I believe that both the premise for the Ordinance and the approach that it takes are wrong.

This hearing is important because it is a key step toward getting Federal money for improving Somerville.

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…

powered by Change.org
Start a Petition »

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.

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…

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)

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…

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”…

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…

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.

Assembly on the Mystic 2nd Annual Holiday Drive

Sat. Dec. 19, All Day

Assembly Square Marketplace
Somerville MA (map)

Flier (PDF)

To benefit the…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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

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

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…

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

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!…

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…

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…

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

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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. …

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

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…

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.…

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.

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…

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. …

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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? ……

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

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.

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!

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.

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.…

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…

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…

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

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.…