In Mayor 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.
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne was awarded the Diversity Champion Award by the Lawyers for Civil Rights. This award is presented to steadfast champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mayor Ballantyne was selected to receive this honor in 2025 based on her visionary leadership and distinguished service in helping to keep her city of Somerville vibrant, thriving, safe, and diverse.
To restore our urban ecosystem, Mayor Katjana, raised our climate goals from targeting just Net Zero—to be Carbon Negative by 2050, she directed our Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) to implement networked geothermal in Somerville, to decarbonize heating and cooling of our buildings, and much more...
To support youth and teachers, Mayor Katjana made historic budget increases in our schools, expanded out of school time programming, and opened our first three teen spaces
Launched a new program to coach Somerville students as they make the transition out of high school and into their next step be that college, training, or a career, and much more...
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne focused on an equitable COVID-19 recovery in Somerville, implementing initiatives like a guaranteed basic income pilot and a First 100-Day Agenda. Her administration prioritized equity, community engagement, and economic recovery, and much more...
Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll say that Mayor Katjana "is the proven leader we need at the local level to support our administration's efforts to reduce the cost of housing, grow our economy, tackle climate change and increase opportunities for all."
Sheet Metal Workers Local #17 says Mayor Katjana "has shown unwavering support for good-paying union jobs, strong labor standards, and investment in the Somerville Community."
Pipefitters Local Union #537 Endorses Mayor Katjana for Re-Election.
"Pipefitters 537 proudly supports Somerville Mayor Ballantyne’s re-election. She’s been a steadfast advocate for union jobs, fair wages, and strong labor standards. We stand with Mayor Ballantyne because she stands with working people."-Pipefitters Local 537
Somerville City Council President Judy Pineda Neufeld Endorses Mayor Katjana Ballantyne saying Mayor Katjana's strong, steady leadership of the city is needed now more than ever.
SEIU Local 888 President says that "in these times, we need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful and equitable change. That leader is Mayor Katjana Ballantyne."
Vote Mama founder and CEO says Mayor Katjana "is exactly the kind of leader we need in every corner of the country-bold, thoughtful, and rooted in her community."
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne was awarded the Diversity Champion Award by the Lawyers for Civil Rights. This award is presented to steadfast champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mayor Ballantyne was selected to receive this honor in 2025 based on her visionary leadership and distinguished service in helping to keep her city of Somerville vibrant, thriving, safe, and diverse.
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne's leadership on environmental issues has made Somerville a recognized leader in climate change mitigation, urban ecosystem restoration, and carbon footprint reduction. She’s implemented many ground-breaking initiatives to address these critical issues. Examples are Mayor Katjana’s first-ever Pollinator Action Plan to protect native pollinators, building on Somerville’s Native Species Ordinance, which she introduced as a City Councilor. These are a first of a kind plans for a dense, urban city like ours, and have already become models for similar cities across the country.
"Veterans have shouldered one of the heaviest burdens demanded of any member of society. As mayor, I am resolved to repay veterans by helping guide them, not only to veterans benefits, but to every city service to which they are entitled." - Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
Mayor Ballantyne has decidedly resisted regional trends of cuts and layoffs. Instead, over the three years of her administration, she’s increased the school budget by 27 percent. In the fiscal year 2025 budget, she added over 35 net full-time equivalent positions to Somerville Public Schools. For our mayor, investing in youth doesn’t stop at the classroom. Her administration has invested heavily in expanded after-school programs and new youth opportunities, and she started a school year expansion of the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program.
Mayor Katjana's leadership on infrastructure investments is transforming Somerville into a modern, sustainable, and equitable city. By prioritizing key areas such as public safety, transportation, water and sewer infrastructure, schools, and open space, she is laying the foundation for a thriving community for generations to come. And thanks to her strong fiscal management, she has earned Somerville’s first S&P Global, triple A bond rating so Somerville can afford to keep fixing what’s broken.
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne's leadership on climate has earned Somerville certification as Climate Leader Community. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) climate leadership certification recognizes Mayor Katjana's accomplishments, such as her Climate Action Plan, Native Planting Ordinance and Pollinator Action Plan, and her real progress in restoring Somerville's urban eco system. To see more of Mayor Ballantyne's accomplishments on combating climate change, visit: https://katjana.org/en/combating-climate-change
