Affordable Housing Construction North Street Somerville, MA
Committee to Elect Katjana Ballantyne
Issues

Affordable Housing

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne's Leadership on Affordable Housing

Mayor Katjana has worked successfully to increase and protect affordability in Somerville for decades.
She is uniquely qualified to lead us to  real-world experience creating affordability includes working for an affordable housing developer and she’s done that twice; once with Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), as a career ladders program director, and as board president of Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) creating affordable housing and jobs access.
In Katjana’s eight years as a councilor and as the twice-elected president of the city council, Katjana has sponsored, supported and voted for many initiatives to make housing and Somerville more affordable such as

  • The Office of Housing Stability
  • Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) requiring 20% affordable units in new housing development
  • The 2000 Homes Program
  • The Ordinance for Condo Conversion
  • The Affordable Housing Overlay District Zoning Amendment
  • The Short-Term Rental Ordinance, The Community Land Trust, The Fair Housing Commission
  • On-Campus Housing for students, and more

Future Development

Mayor Ballantyne's commitment to housing stability extends to long-term planning and development. Transformative plans for neighborhoods like Brickbottom and Assembly Square envision the creation of an additional 1,200 affordable housing units. These ambitious projects demonstrate a dedication to ensuring that Somerville remains an inclusive and affordable community for all residents.

Expanding Affordable Housing

Mayor Katjana’s affordable housing accomplishments include:

  • Early Action Acquisition Fund: Mayor Ballantyne has leveraged innovative financial tools to expand the city's affordable housing stock. The Early Action Acquisition Fund has enabled the purchase of existing housing units and the development of new income-restricted housing, ensuring that affordable options remain available amidst rising housing costs.
  • Affordable Housing Pipeline: The City has actively fostered the development of affordable housing, with 684 units currently in the permitting or development pipeline. This commitment to expanding affordable housing options is crucial for long-term housing stability.
  • Sealing Eviction Records: To promote housing access and opportunity, the City has implemented a policy to seal eviction records for no-fault evictions. This measure helps prevent past housing challenges from unfairly impacting individuals' ability to secure future housing.
  • Mayor Katjana will continue to use every tool available to create, expand, maintain and protect affordability and affordable housing.

Mayor Katjana knows that while we have made progress toward affordability in Somerville, we have much more to do to make Somerville affordable, and she is uniquely qualified with the skills and experience to lead us to an affordable Somerville where we can all thrive together.

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