There is a housing disaster in Cambridge, with almost 50 percent of Cambridge renters struggling to pay their rent. No-income, low-income and moderate-income households face the greatest challenges. High costs have forced many, including many Black and brown residents, out of the city. Most of those who remain pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing and utilities. To meet the needs of these households and keep a vibrant Cambridge that is racially, socially and economically diverse, we need to provide decent, affordable and stable housing for these residents.

There is a housing disaster in Cambridge, with almost 50 percent of Cambridge renters struggling to pay their rent. No-income, low-income and moderate-income households face the greatest challenges. The Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition believes we should prioritize meeting the housing needs of these residents. We look for solutions that best provide affordable housing to these populations.

After a year of debate, meetings and refinements, changes to height and open space rules for all-affordable buildings were approved Monday in Cambridge in a 6-3 vote that surprised no one, but offered an end to the bitter condemnations and accusations hurled from one side to another.

“Like my colleagues, I recognize that the six-to-three vote is inevitable,” councillor Dennis Carlone said. He and the other votes against – Patty Nolan and Paul Toner – took the opportunity to restate their positions, while councillors in favor seized the chance to explain the significance and value of what was decided.

People in Cambridge agree there is an urgent crisis in housing affordability. More than 6,000 people who live or work in Cambridge are waiting for federal Section 8 rental vouchers. We are excited about the potential of the recently passed amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay to add affordable units, but it takes years to build units and people are being forced out of Cambridge now. What is something Cambridge could do to house people and prevent displacement much more quickly?