City of Cambridge Launches Campaign to Centralize Housing Information and Resources

The City of Cambridge today announced it has launched a citywide campaign designed to educate and inform residents on housing opportunities and housing-related resources and services. Housed In Cambridge: Information to Open Doors, is a collaboration of several city departments, including the City Manager’s Office of the Housing Liaison, the Community Development Department, Cambridge Human Rights Commission, and the Department of Human Service Programs. 

“Understanding the many housing opportunities, services, and resources in the city can be overwhelming at times. This educational campaign aims to help residents learn about the people and places available to assist them in finding and navigating the services they need,” said Maura Pensak, Housing Liaison to the City Manager.”

Housing resources in Cambridge are available through several city departments and a network of housing and service providers all working collaboratively to support residents in accessing and maintaining secure housing. The campaign aims to make it easier for residents to understand where they can go for housing and assistance.

“The City is deeply committed to affordable housing and has many housing resources and programs available for our residents,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “Consolidating housing information into a single guide will assist the public in identifying the many programs and resources that can meet their needs and circumstances.”

One effort of the Campaign is the release of a new interactive, online guide to help residents navigate Cambridge housing and service providers, and the resources they offer. The interactive guide is organized around six key themes: affordable housing, emergency housing, housing rights, legal and mediation services, safe & healthy homes, and financial assistance. The online guide can be accessed at  Cambridgema.gov/housingguide. This online guide is not intended to replace other website based resources, but offers residents a starting point, and is framed as a tool for navigating the basic questions they may have regarding housing issues.  

Housed In Cambridge will also convene regular panels and trainings addressing a range of housing topics. The upcoming virtual panel, Eviction Prevention: Understanding Tenant Rights and Resources, will take place on June 22, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. The registration link for the panel discussion is available on the City’s website at www.cambridgema.gov. 

Cambridge continues to offer eviction prevention services and resources including access to financial assistance programs. There is a court process that has to be followed before a tenant can be forced to leave their home, and help is available to try to prevent the eviction without going to court.

More information on the city’s many housing-related programs and resources is available at www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/officeofthehousingliaison.