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Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust

Created by the City Council, the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust was established in 1989 with the mission of expanding and protecting affordable housing opportunities in Cambridge. The Trust is comprised of a nine-member board that includes experts in housing policy, finance, development, design, and advocacy. The Trust serves as both a policy advisory board and a loan committee, meeting on a monthly basis throughout the year to review proposals for new housing preservation and development efforts and other housing programs, and to discuss affordable housing policy. The Trust has a long-standing commitment to creating high-quality housing that is well-integrated into the greater community and that will remain affordable for future generations. Some of the criteria the Trust uses when reviewing proposals for new programs, policies, and housing developments include:

• Creation and preservation of long-term affordability;
• High-quality sustainable design to benefit housing residents and the surrounding neighborhood and community;
• Use of energy-efficient materials, and environmentally-friendly construction techniques;
• Emphasis on the creation of family-sized housing (units with two or more bedrooms); and,
• Leveraging of Trust funds by other public and private financing sources.

Through its affordable housing development and acquisition programs, affordable housing preservation programs, first-time homebuyer assistance programs, and its rehab programs, the Trust has helped thousands of families and individuals afford to remain in the Cambridge community.

Read about the Trust's accomplishments in the Affordable Housing Trust: Celebrating 30 Years report (PDF) 

The Trust offers predevelopment, acquisition, construction, and permanent financing to support the efforts of local housing development organizations to create new affordable housing units, preserve existing affordable housing, and finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing properties. The Trust also provides direct assistance to income-eligible families seeking to purchase their first home. Since its inception, the Trust has provided financing for the creation and preservation of 2,600 affordable rental and homeownership units in Cambridge.

The Trust encourages applications from affordable housing providers and developers interested in requesting City funding to assist in the creation of permanent affordable housing in the city.

TRUST DOCUMENTS

• Chapter 482 of 1991 - State Enabling Legislation
• Amended and Restated Declaration of the Trust (November 2020)

REPORTS & PRESENTATIONS

For more details about the Trust along with descriptions of projects funded by the Trust, please click on one of the Trust Reports listed below:

• 2019 Trust Report
• 2006 Trust Report
• 2000 Trust Report
• 1993 Trust Report

The Housing and Finance Committee held a joint hearing on July 10, 2024 to discuss how the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust operates and funds housing developments in Cambridge. Click here to see the presentation.

MEMBERSHIP

Members of the Affordable Housing Trust are appointed by the City Manager and include the City Manager as an ex officio member. 

View the current membership of the Affordable Housing Trust on the Open Meeting Portal

Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

The Affordable Housing Trust usually meets fourth Thursday of each month at 4:00 P.M. in the Ackermann Room at City Hall, except as noted.

Trust meeting dates can be found on the City Calendar of Events here. Please check the calendar to confirm the time and location of particular meetings.

Members of the public can provide written comments to the Affordable Housing Trust by email sent to affordablehousingtrustcomment@cambridgema.gov, or by delivery to the Housing Department, by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.

Trust agendas and minutes from meetings prior to the current year can be found here.

For More Information

For more information contact Chris Cotter at 617-349-4634 or ccotter@cambridgema.gov.