Cambridge, like so many other areas around the country, is facing a crisis. Land is being hoarded by a few wealthy, multinational corporations fueling displacement, increasing rent, and limiting regular people’s ability to buy homes. Safe, secure housing is a human right. As a Councillor, I will fight for policies that put Cambridge residents, renters, and families first.

Cambridge as a Housing First City 

Housing is a human right and is at the foundation of all opportunities to thrive. Cambridge should fund permanently supportive housing for those who are chronically homeless.

I will work to enact a Housing First policy that does not force unhoused people to meet unrealistic requirements to receive services and care. Together, we can become a national leader for other metro areas in truly making housing equitable for all. 

Delivering Fair, Affordable Housing

Housing sits at the intersection of many issues important to Cambridge, including public health, community safety, environmental justice, and education. We must develop short-and long-term solutions to deliver fair, affordable housing for all Cambridge residents. Any long-term plan to solve the current housing crisis must ensure the replacement of segregated living patterns with fully integrated and balanced neighborhoods with equitable access to educational, economic, cultural, and recreational opportunities. As a Councillor, I will: 

• Advocate for new zoning based on Boston’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule that requires cities to provide new housing opportunities while considering impacts on local communities that have historically been discriminated against. 

• Explore possible effects of development plans on residents and businesses before plans are approved- giving first preference to contractors who use union labor, hire locally, and pay a living wage. 

• Support the adoption of a real estate transfer tax up to 6% on new sales of real estate above the city-wide median sale price of $1.1 million and direct proceeds to the Cambridge-only Affordable Housing Trust.

• Advocate for a vacancy tax on individuals and corporations who buy housing without the intent to occupy those units to discourage commercial speculation- adding additional fees for owners who fail to register their properties as vacant, and for properties that are left vacant for multiple years. 

• Develop and advocate for policies at the city and state levels that prevent displacement and set goals for the amount and mix of market and non-market housing. 

• Increase the amount of affordable housing stock by prioritizing projects near transit corridors.  

• Engage all relevant stakeholders, including residents, city departments, tenant organizations, and trade unions, to prepare a long-term, equitable plan for affordable housing. 

Protecting Tenants 

The majority of Cambridge residents, including myself, are renters. For too long power in Cambridge has been skewed in favor of wealthy developers and private interests. This has contributed to rising rental  costs and a lack of protections for tenants. We need immediate action to lower the rent and prevent mass evictions while planning for long-term housing stability. As a Councillor you can count on me to: 

• Fight for rent control by working with advocates in Cambridge, neighboring cities and across the state to lift the ban.

• Push for community land trusts and publicly-funded social housing focused on permanent affordability, social equality, and democratic resident control. 

• Establish a Tenant Bill of Rights including a tenant’s right to counsel. 

• Coordinate with shelters to expand emergency housing options to ensure safe housing is always accessible for our residents. 

• Push the city to establish a Department of Housing Stability to help residents. 

  •  Navigate existing city resources. 

  •  Find and maintain stable, safe, and affordable housing. 

Permanent Affordable Homeownership 

Homeownership is a crucial part of closing the racial wealth gap, building generational wealth, stabilizing our city and fighting displacement. However, due to rising costs the option to own a home is out of reach for far too many residents. 

I support the Council’s recent policy order to:

• Increase the supply of affordable homeownership units. 

• Ensure that the city gives preference in purchasing affordable units built by this plan to first generation, first-time home buyers who grew up in Cambridge, to redress past racial discrimination.

However, we must go further and provide a better pathway to homeownership and address the disparity of Black and Brown homeownership. As a Councillor I will: 

• Provide City funds for down payment assistance for low and middle income renters, first-time homebuyers, and other residents who have been excluded from building generational wealth.

• Support and grow educational and financial coaching programs for aspiring buyers to prepare for ownership. 

• Reform zoning standards to make it easier for homeowners to make small property modifications and better accommodate the needs of multigenerational households. 

• Push the policymakers on the state and federal level to support homeownership programs for historically marginalized communities. 
  

As your City Councillor, you can count on me to fight for truly fair housing for all Cambridge residents.