Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund (SAHTF) was created in 1989 by a City ordinance to preserve and create affordable rental and homeownership units in Somerville, and to carry out programs to directly assist homeowners and renters. All of its activities must benefit low-to-moderate-income households (with incomes at or below 110% of area median income). In 2023, the Trust completed a Strategic Visioning process to produce a new Strategic Plan and updated guidelines.
Nine (9) members:
Three (3) ex-officio and six (6) appointed.
The ex-officio trustees:
- Mayor (or designee)
- Executive Director of the Somerville Housing Authority (or designee)
- President of the City Council (or designee).
Appointed Trustees, appointed by the Mayor subject to City Council approval:
- Two (2) Somerville residents
- Two (2) representatives of city nonprofit organizations
- One (1) housing or real estate professional
- One (1) banking or finance professional
The Mayor and the City Council shall insure, to extent feasible, that the composition of the Board of Trustees reflects the geographic and ethnic mix of the city.
Four (4) main funding sources.
- Linkage payments (fee charged on new real estate developments to raise funds for offsetting community impact)
- Inclusionary Housing fractional payments (Payment for Affordable housing Units not provided in a development)
- Community Preservation Act appropriations
- Other Revenue, including repayments on prior development loans and bank interest.
Jobs Creation and Retention Trust
The Somerville Jobs Creation and Retention Trust (JCRT) was created in 2017 by a City Ordinance via Home Rule Petition to assist in the creation and maintenance of employment and career opportunities within and near the City of Somerville for the residents of the City of Somerville. JCRT Board of Trustees responsibilities involve managing the JCRT fund, working with City staff to implement workforce development strategies outlined in the Talent Equity Playbook, target industry sectors and resident demographics of interest for job training programs, solicit project proposals, and funding workforce development training programs in accordance with the ordinance.
9 members:
Three (3) ex-officio and Six (6) appointed.
The ex-officio trustees:
- Mayor (or designee)
- Superintendent of Somerville Public Schools (or designee)
- President of the City Council (or designee).
Appointed Trustees, appointed by the Mayor subject to City Council approval:
- Two (2) Somerville residents
- Two (2) representatives of nonprofit organizations
- Two (2) Somerville business representatives
The Mayor and the City Council shall insure, to extent feasible, that the composition of the Board of Trustees reflects the geographic and ethnic mix of the city.
One (1) main funding source.
- Linkage Fee: Commercial developments over 15,000 square feet are subject to a $3.15 per square foot linkage fee (as of March 2026)
Community Preservation Committee
Adopted in 2012, the Community Preservation Act (CPA, M.G.L. c. 44B), “CPA”, is a City fund that pays for improvements to parks, historic buildings and artifacts, and affordable housing. The money comes mostly from a surcharge on property taxes paid by Somerville property owners. A volunteer committee (the “CPC”) decides how to spend the funds. They ask for public input about what will help the community. Community organizations and City departments can apply to the CPC for grants for historic and parks projects. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund manages CPA money for affordable housing.
9 members:
- One (1) member of the Planning Board
- One (1) member of the Conservation Commission
- One (1) member of the Historical Commission
- One (1) member of the Public Space and Urban Forrestry Division
- One (1) member of the Somerville Housing Authority
- Four (4) members of the general public, appointed by the Mayor, subject to City Council approval.
Two (2) main funding sources:
- Local Property Tax Surcharge (3% as of July 2025)
- State Matching Funds (depends on local collection)