Somerville to Share Anti-Displacement Task Force Reports at Virtual Community Meeting January 30th; Community Event Planned for Spring

After months of intensive work to identify ways to improve affordability for residents, small businesses, nonprofits, and artists in Somerville, the City’s Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF) is ready to share their recommendations with the community. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invite all to join an online community meeting presenting ADTF reports on Thursday, January 30, as well as to an in-person event this spring. 

The ADTF was called into action in 2023 by Mayor Ballantyne in response to not only the housing crisis but also rental pressures on local businesses, nonprofits, and the cultural arts that can lead to displacement. Three ADTF committees were formed to develop recommendations aimed at reducing the rate of displacement of residents, small businesses, and creative enterprise including arts, culture, and nonprofits.  

Committee members were drawn from the community as part of the administration’s commitment to inclusive leadership. That commitment is founded on bringing diverse people and perspectives to the table to best work toward progress for all – in this case affordability. Residents, local business owners, artists, nonprofit representatives, City Council members, and City staff were tapped to drive this effort. With the committee reports now complete, the administration will begin a thorough review to evaluate the most actionable options to pursue, prioritize next steps, and determine what resources are needed to move forward on recommendations.   

"Displacement is a word that doesn’t tell the whole story. Every time a resident, business, nonprofit, or artist is displaced from Somerville it means the costs of staying here were just too high, so we lose one more thread from the fabric of our community. I want to thank the Task Force for supporting our mission to drive down those pressures and to keep our community whole,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “The Task Force has done essential work to keep the voices of Somerville’s residents, businesses, and creative communities at the center of our planning for better affordability across our community and for a fair and equitable future. I encourage everyone to participate in this important meeting and look forward to hearing from our task force members at the spring event." 

The January 30 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. online via Zoom and will feature a presentation by City staff outlining recommendations from the three ADTF committees. The reports will then be made available online. For those unable to attend, a meeting recording will be available on the ADTF SomerVoice web page and on the City’s YouTube and GovTV channels. For the link to the online meeting, online access to the reports, or to visit the ADTF SomerVoice web page, please visit voice.somervillema.gov/adtf.  

This spring, the community is also invited to celebrate the work of the Task Force, take part in a panel discussion with committee members, and view a film commissioned by the Task Force exploring the very real impacts of displacement on community members. At this event, community members will have the opportunity to hear directly from task force members as they present their recommendations. Event details will be announced via the City website, social media, and other communication channels--or sign up for the City newsletter for email updates at somervillema.gov/newsletter.  

Accessibility 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

Interpretation and Translation via SOIA 

Efforts to secure interpretation into any language will be made upon advance request (at least seven days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.  

GovTV Recording 

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV ( somervillema.gov/video) Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one business day of recording.