News

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  Significant Drought Conditions and Water Use Restrictions In Effect in Cambridge

  The Cambridge Water Department (CWD) would like to inform the Cambridge community about the latest water drought status. In mid-January, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) elevated the Cambridge and Northeast region drought level status to Level 2 (Significant Drought). All nonessential outdoor water use is currently prohibited.

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  Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies

  Vacancies are available for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees, Human Rights Commission, and Open Data Review Board.

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  City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

  City of Cambridge offices, libraries, and senior centers will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

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  Results for America Awards Cambridge With Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Highest Level Certification for Exceptional Use of Data

  Cambridge is proud to announce that Results for America has awarded it Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Platinum Certification for establishing exceptional data capabilities to inform policy, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate programs, and engage residents. The What Works Cities Certification standard reflects the practices, policies, and infrastructure municipalities must have in place to effectively harness data for better decision-making. Platinum is Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities’ highest-level certification.
  

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  CPD Obtains Advanced Level CALEA Accreditation

  Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow is proud to announce that the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) has successfully obtained the Advanced Level Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®).
  
  CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations. A CALEA Accreditation is widely considered in the law enforcement world to be “the gold standard” accreditation, an honor reserved for only top tier police departments. For context, there are approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, and just 1,021 currently hold a CALEA Accreditation of any level.

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  Annual Affordable Housing Stock Update for 2025

  CDD has completed its annual update to the stock of affordable housing units in the city. There are now 9,021 affordable housing units in the city, a net increase of 90 affordable units from the 2024 total of 8,931 units.

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  Renew Your Residential Parking Permits In-Person and Online Today

  Starting today, January 2, 2026, residents can renew and apply for 2026 Resident or Visitor Parking Permits in-person at 344 Broadway or online.

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  Winter Warming Center to be Open December 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026

  The Winter Warming Center, open December 1 through April 30 for the 2025-2026 season, provides a safe and welcoming space at night for adults experiencing homelessness. The nightly maximum capacity at the Warming Center is 35 individuals.

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  First AHO Homeownership Project to Begin Construction

  Construction begins at 35 Cherry Street, the first homeownership project developed under the Affordable Housing Overlay.