Somerville YIMBY
@somervilleyimby.org
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Somerville residents advocating for smart growth that benefits everyone.
https://somervilleyimby.org
Studios are fine, actually. Plus Lobby Day. Policy newsletter Pencilling Out recently tackled a question that comes up constantly in Somerville: does building more studios and one-bedrooms actually help families find larger apartments, even if families aren't moving into those new units? ReadersâŠ
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Studios are fine, actually. Plus Lobby Day.
Policy newsletter Pencilling Out recently tackled a question that comes up constantly in Somerville: does building more studios and one-bedrooms actually help families find larger apartments, even if families aren't moving into those new units? Readers wonât be surprised to hear that the answer is yes: people who live in those studios would otherwise split larger apartments, so new studios free up larger units in other buildings.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/05/29/studios-are-fine-actually-plus-lobby-day/
21 days ago
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Are We Trying to Do Nothing? Marblehead has been in the news recently for passing a much-delayed and toothless plan to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. As a reminder, the MBTA Communities Act, also known as Section 3A, is a state law that requires communities served by the T to legalize atâŠ
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Are We Trying to Do Nothing?
Marblehead has been in the news recently for passing a much-delayed and toothless plan to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. As a reminder, the MBTA Communities Act, also known as Section 3A, is a state law that requires communities served by the T to legalize at least some multifamily housing. Marblehead, having missed several deadlines, finally complied this month by changing the zoning of a tony golf course to allow multifamily housing.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/05/12/are-we-trying-to-do-nothing/
about 1 month ago
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A letter to Somerville City Council & Redevelopment Authority re: 90 Washington St redevelopment, urging them to choose more homes, less cars, & more green space!
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90 Washington St: Choose North River Leelink
The following is a letter we sent to the Somerville City Council and the Somerville Redevelopment Authority on May 8, 2026 regarding the request for proposals for redevelopment of 90 Washington Street. To City Councilors and Somerville Redevelopment Authority members: At 90 Washington Street, the City of Somerville has acquired a rare opportunity: four under-built acres a short walk from a Green Line station. The city has received two proposals to make the site better for the city. One, from Wood Partners, proposes 300 new homes and 600 aboveground parking spots.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/05/09/90-washington-st-choose-north-river-leelink/
about 1 month ago
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Factors of Upzoning Everyone knows that the single biggest factor in the price of a home is its location. A home in Somerville costs more than a similar one in Lowell, for example, and a home near Davis Square is more valuable than a similar one right next to I-93. The price for a locationâŠ
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Factors of Upzoning
Everyone knows that the single biggest factor in the price of a home is its location. A home in Somerville costs more than a similar one in Lowell, for example, and a home near Davis Square is more valuable than a similar one right next to I-93. The price for a location reflects its desirability. If we want to build homes where people want to live, we need to understand what kind of upzoning will help us reach that goal.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/05/08/factors-of-upzoning/
about 1 month ago
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Letâs try this again! Check out âThe Basic Economics of Home Buildingâ, our latest post, this time without some HTML gobbledegook đ
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The Basic Economics of Home Building
Building housing is a business. Both non-profit or for-profit builders need to make some money to keep the operations going and get to the next project. To estimate whether a project is economically viable, they all use a document called a pro forma. It can get quite complicated, but at the simplest, itâs a spreadsheet that compares costs against revenue. Housing Construction Site at 24 Webster Ave There are two kinds of costs: hard costs (land, labor, and materials) and soft costs (mostly fees and interest). There is one main revenue stream: rents or sale proceeds.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/30/the-basic-economics-of-home-building/
about 2 months ago
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The Basic Economics of Home Building .bh__table, .bh__table_header, .bh__table_cell { border: 1px solid
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The Basic Economics of Home Building
.bh__table, .bh__table_header, .bh__table_cell { border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; } .bh__table_cell { padding: 5px; background-color: #FFFFFF; } .bh__table_cell p { color: #2D2D2D; font-family: 'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .bh__table_header { padding: 5px; background-color:#F1F1F1; } .bh__table_header p { color: #2A2A2A; font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; } Building housing is a business. Both non-profit or for-profit builders need to make some money to keep the operations going and get to the next project.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/30/the-basic-economics-of-home-building/
about 2 months ago
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Action Alert: Public Comment on Dormers Write In to Support Dormer Reform We presented our dormer amendment to a joint hearing of the Land Use Committee and the Planning Board on the 16th, and public comment is open until noon on May 1. If you were havenât already, please write toâŠ
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Action Alert: Public Comment on Dormers
Write In to Support Dormer Reform We presented our dormer amendment to a joint hearing of the Land Use Committee and the Planning Board on the 16th, and public comment is open until noon on May 1. If you were havenât already, please write to
[email protected]
in support of file item 26-0287, the pro-dormer amendment. It doesnât have to be long!
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/25/action-alert-public-comment-on-dormers/
about 2 months ago
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The Future of NOAH What makes a home affordable? The government definition is that it costs less than 30% of your income to live there. If you pay more, as about a third of households in Somerville do, youâre considered âcost burdened.â There are two ways to reach affordability: subsidies, andâŠ
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The Future of NOAH
What makes a home affordable? The government definition is that it costs less than 30% of your income to live there. If you pay more, as about a third of households in Somerville do, youâre considered âcost burdened.â There are two ways to reach affordability: subsidies, and finding a bargain on the open market. When we talk about Affordable housing with a capital A, weâre talking about subsidies.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/20/the-future-of-noah/
about 2 months ago
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A Minute for Action (for Voting and Speaking at Land Use) Elections for the Davis Square Neighborhood Council board will take place April 13 through April 27, 2026. If you live, work, or receive services in or near Davis Square, you may be eligible to vote, and your vote will have a criticalâŠ
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A Minute for Action (for Voting and Speaking at Land Use)
Elections for the Davis Square Neighborhood Council board will take place April 13 through April 27, 2026. If you live, work, or receive services in or near Davis Square, you may be eligible to vote, and your vote will have a critical impact on the future of the neighborhood. In particular, weâd like to request your support for Somerville YIMBY members: …
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/13/a-minute-for-action-for-voting-and-speaking-at-land-use/
2 months ago
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Who Actually Builds Our Affordable Housing Letâs start with a question: Which of these do you think built more new Affordable Housing in Somerville in the last 10 years? All our non-profits combined US2, the for-profit developers of Union Square Before we answer, letâs take a look at how much weâŠ
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Who Actually Builds Our Affordable Housing
Letâs start with a question: Which of these do you think built more new Affordable Housing in Somerville in the last 10 years? All our non-profits combined US2, the for-profit developers of Union Square Before we answer, letâs take a look at how much we Affordable Housing we have and how we actually get it built. There two main ways to make housing into capital-letters Affordable Housing in Somerville: subsidized homes and vouchers.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/08/who-actually-builds-our-affordable-housing/
2 months ago
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Fair Housing Month Events April is National Fair Housing Month, in honor of the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act. Somerville will host a number of events celebrating the month, including a screening of the documentary Segregated By Design followed by conversation around fair housing andâŠ
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Fair Housing Month Events
April is National Fair Housing Month, in honor of the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act. Somerville will host a number of events celebrating the month, including a screening of the documentary Segregated By Design followed by conversation around fair housing and discrimination in the city. Check out our event listings below for a variety of other events! Davis Square Update…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/04/02/fair-housing-month-events/
3 months ago
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A Delicate Dance Building new homes is absolutely critical, but itâs also expensive. Just a few years ago, the Globe estimated that multifamily buildings cost at least $600,000 per home, and a 100% affordable building that just broke ground in Union Square will cost more than $800,000 per home! IfâŠ
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A Delicate Dance
Building new homes is absolutely critical, but itâs also expensive. Just a few years ago, the Globe estimated that multifamily buildings cost at least $600,000 per home, and a 100% affordable building that just broke ground in Union Square will cost more than $800,000 per home! If we donât want to pay for construction ourselves, we need businesses to do it.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/03/25/a-delicate-dance/
3 months ago
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The Latest Copper Mill Meeting Last week, Copper Mill hosted a new meeting about their proposed 500-home mixed-use apartment building in Davis Square. With a capacity crowd at the Crystal Ballroom and hundreds more attendees viewing online, CEO Andrew Flynn laid out some new and familiarâŠ
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The Latest Copper Mill Meeting
Last week, Copper Mill hosted a new meeting about their proposed 500-home mixed-use apartment building in Davis Square. With a capacity crowd at the Crystal Ballroom and hundreds more attendees viewing online, CEO Andrew Flynn laid out some new and familiar information about the proposal, including:Â A commitment to union labor 25% of the apartments set aside as subsidized , up from the 20% city minimum…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/03/20/the-latest-copper-mill-meeting/
3 months ago
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What the heck is going on with Backyard Cottages Have you ever wanted to add a home or workspace to your back yard? Well a Backyard Cottage might be for you! It is intended as a way to gently add a little more density to our city in a way that is not visible to most people. However, BackyardâŠ
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What the heck is going on with Backyard Cottages
Have you ever wanted to add a home or workspace to your back yard? Well a Backyard Cottage might be for you! It is intended as a way to gently add a little more density to our city in a way that is not visible to most people. However, Backyard Cottages (with capital letters because they have a specific definition in the zoning code) have been a surprisingly contentious issue since they were originally allowed in 2019.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/03/18/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-backyard-cottages/
3 months ago
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We love to see it!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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Help Plan Affordable Housing in Gilman Square On March 12, Just-A-Start and the Somerville Community Land Trust will host a meeting for neighbors to discuss their plans to build a fully affordable building at 297 Medford Street in Gilman Square. Theyâll go over the design and project timeline andâŠ
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Help Plan Affordable Housing in Gilman Square
On March 12, Just-A-Start and the Somerville Community Land Trust will host a meeting for neighbors to discuss their plans to build a fully affordable building at 297 Medford Street in Gilman Square. Theyâll go over the design and project timeline and answer questions from neighbors. If you live nearby, join them at 6:00 pm, in person in the cafeteria at Somerville High School.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/03/10/help-plan-affordable-housing-in-gilman-square/
3 months ago
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No Vacancy Have you had a landlord ask you to do something theyâre supposed to handle, like shoveling snow or dealing with a rat infestation? Have they ever dragged their feet on important repairs or charged illegal fees? Have you ever shaken your fist and then given up because, although youâre inâŠ
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No Vacancy
Have you had a landlord ask you to do something theyâre supposed to handle, like shoveling snow or dealing with a rat infestation? Have they ever dragged their feet on important repairs or charged illegal fees? Have you ever shaken your fist and then given up because, although youâre in the right, you donât have any leverage? In Somerville, both you and your landlord know two things: it would be hard for you to find a new apartment, and it would be easy for them to find a new tenant.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/03/05/no-vacancy/
4 months ago
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Affordable Housing Makes Progress We have two pieces of very promising news about affordable housing for you. First, Just-A-Start has secured financing and begun construction work on their 24 Webster Avenue project, which will create 43 deeply affordable rental homes in a 6-story building. ThatâsâŠ
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Affordable Housing Makes Progress
We have two pieces of very promising news about affordable housing for you. First, Just-A-Start has secured financing and begun construction work on their 24 Webster Avenue project, which will create 43 deeply affordable rental homes in a 6-story building. Thatâs a real victory, but itâs taken a long time to get here, and the price is astronomical: about $837,000 per home.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/03/03/affordable-housing-makes-progress/
4 months ago
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The Displacement Time Bomb Over the last 50 years, Massachusetts has focused on high-income job creation. It started with the âMassachusetts Miracleâ and continued with the growth of Kendall Square as a technology hub. The latest addition to our âbrain factoryâ has been the boom in biotechnologyâŠ
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The Displacement Time Bomb
Over the last 50 years, Massachusetts has focused on high-income job creation. It started with the âMassachusetts Miracleâ and continued with the growth of Kendall Square as a technology hub. The latest addition to our âbrain factoryâ has been the boom in biotechnology and the lab space that has come with it. Somerville, too, has joined to feed the demand for industries.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/02/27/the-displacement-time-bomb/
4 months ago
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Copper Mill, ADUs, and Dormers Join the Davis Square Neighborhood Council We strongly encourage all eligible readers to join the Davis Square Neighborhood Council and contribute to the ongoing Copper Mill discussion. The Council is moving swiftly toward full recognition from the city, and willâŠ
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Copper Mill, ADUs, and Dormers
Join the Davis Square Neighborhood Council We strongly encourage all eligible readers to join the Davis Square Neighborhood Council and contribute to the ongoing Copper Mill discussion. The Council is moving swiftly toward full recognition from the city, and will have a major role in shaping the evolution of Davis Square over the next few years. To participate: Fill out this feedback form…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/02/22/copper-mill-adus-and-dormers/
4 months ago
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Is Somerville Full? Everyone knows that Somerville is one of the densest cities in New England, with around 19,000 residents per square mile. Some folks use that number as a reason to say âweâre full, go away.â Thatâs not exactly welcoming to newcomers, especially not to those fleeing other statesâŠ
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Is Somerville Full?
Everyone knows that Somerville is one of the densest cities in New England, with around 19,000 residents per square mile. Some folks use that number as a reason to say âweâre full, go away.â Thatâs not exactly welcoming to newcomers, especially not to those fleeing other states or countries who want to live in a sanctuary city like Somerville. Itâs also not telling the whole story, because there are other ways of looking at density that tell us more about what it means for daily life.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/02/17/is-somerville-full/
4 months ago
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Support Housing in Davis Square Boston-based real-estate company Copper Mill is seeking permits to redevelop the area between The Burren and Dragon Pizza in Davis Square. Their latest proposal includes ground floor retail, a promised right of return for the Burren, and a lot of housing: 502âŠ
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Support Housing in Davis Square
Boston-based real-estate company Copper Mill is seeking permits to redevelop the area between The Burren and Dragon Pizza in Davis Square. Their latest proposal includes ground floor retail, a promised right of return for the Burren, and a lot of housing: 502 apartments ranging from studios to 3-beds. 125 (25%) of the apartments will be subsidized affordable, reserved for low-to-moderate income families.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/02/04/support-housing-in-davis-square/
4 months ago
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YIMBY Stands with Immigrants YIMBYs are advocates for construction of housing because we want people to live in homes. We are advocates for housing in Somerville because we are advocates for Somerville. To us, that means helping people be part of Somerville, so we can all thrive and grow together.âŠ
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YIMBY Stands with Immigrants
YIMBYs are advocates for construction of housing because we want people to live in homes. We are advocates for housing in Somerville because we are advocates for Somerville. To us, that means helping people be part of Somerville, so we can all thrive and grow together. Thatâs true whether they grew up here, or are moving here. Itâs true whether theyâre coming from Cambridge or Des Moines or Tegucigalpa or Port au Prince or Mogadishu.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/01/29/yimby-stands-with-immigrants/
5 months ago
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Davis Square 40B update, Fair Housing Commission opening Apply for the Fair Housing Commission The city is recruiting new members of the Fair Housing Commission, and we strongly encourage members to apply. The commission generally meets one evening per month, with additional meetings and events asâŠ
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Davis Square 40B update, Fair Housing Commission opening
Apply for the Fair Housing Commission The city is recruiting new members of the Fair Housing Commission, and we strongly encourage members to apply. The commission generally meets one evening per month, with additional meetings and events as needed. All residents over 18 are invited to apply by January 30. Davis Square Planning Update The long-running discussion of redeveloping the building at the corner of Elm Street and Grove Street in Davis Square has taken a new turn with a 40B application from developer Copper Mill.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/01/27/davis-square-40b-update-fair-housing-commission-opening/
5 months ago
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Displacement versus Displacement Most of our subscribers probably know someone whoâs been displaced, or forced to move. Maybe their lease ended, the rent went up, or in some cases their building has been condemned and must be torn down. In general, good housing and urban development policy aims toâŠ
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Displacement versus Displacement
Most of our subscribers probably know someone whoâs been displaced, or forced to move. Maybe their lease ended, the rent went up, or in some cases their building has been condemned and must be torn down. In general, good housing and urban development policy aims to minimize displacement: when people move, it should be because they want to, not because they have to.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/01/21/displacement-versus-displacement/
5 months ago
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Build Baby Build, But How Much? We know that building a lot more housing can bring down prices. Weâve seen evidence around the globe, from Austin and Minneapolis to as far away as Auckland, or as near as Jersey City and New Rochelle, where we have seen major impacts on affordability from newâŠ
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Build Baby Build, But How Much?
We know that building a lot more housing can bring down prices. Weâve seen evidence around the globe, from Austin and Minneapolis to as far away as Auckland, or as near as Jersey City and New Rochelle, where we have seen major impacts on affordability from new construction. We have invited many people to live here by creating jobs…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/01/15/build-baby-build-but-how-much/
5 months ago
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Housing is Moving Forward 2026 is starting off with a bang in Somervilleâs housing! Mayor Wilsonâs inauguration had a lot of discussion of the affordability of housing. Then this week 2 projects took a major step forward. In Union Square, the Just a Start 100% Affordable project at 24 Webster AveâŠ
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Housing is Moving Forward
2026 is starting off with a bang in Somervilleâs housing! Mayor Wilsonâs inauguration had a lot of discussion of the affordability of housing. Then this week 2 projects took a major step forward. In Union Square, the Just a Start 100% Affordable project at 24 Webster Ave put up barricade in anticipation of demolition. Itâs great to see this project about to finally put shovels in the ground!
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/01/13/housing-is-moving-forward/
5 months ago
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What Kinds of Housing Do We Need? Somervilleâs recent Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) is an analysis of the current state of housing in the city, and provides useful information about the types of housing Somerville needs to accommodate our changing demographics and population pressures. Home sizesâŠ
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What Kinds of Housing Do We Need?
Somervilleâs recent Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) is an analysis of the current state of housing in the city, and provides useful information about the types of housing Somerville needs to accommodate our changing demographics and population pressures. Home sizes Somerville is a city of old, large homes. 59% of occupied homes were built before 1940, while only about 9% were built from 2000 to 2020.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2026/01/06/what-kinds-of-housing-do-we-need/
5 months ago
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Whatâs Bringing Down Rents, and Where? A few bright spots for you as we close out the year: the financial press has noticed that Luxury Apartments are Bringing Down Rents in Some Big Cities. In Boston specifically, weâve seen that bike lane initiatives are working to reduce traffic and pollution,âŠ
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Whatâs Bringing Down Rents, and Where?
A few bright spots for you as we close out the year: the financial press has noticed that Luxury Apartments are Bringing Down Rents in Some Big Cities. In Boston specifically, weâve seen that bike lane initiatives are working to reduce traffic and pollution, and the Globe editorial board is advocating for permit reform to accelerate homebuilding throughout the region…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/12/29/whats-bringing-down-rents-and-where/
6 months ago
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A Tale of Two Lots I was traveling around Somerville and ran into what looked like a gut renovation of an entire lot at 38 Laurel Street in the Spring Hill neighborhood. And my first thought was: could this have been more? 38 Laurel Street, Circa 2025 This seems like fairly serious construction,âŠ
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A Tale of Two Lots
I was traveling around Somerville and ran into what looked like a gut renovation of an entire lot at 38 Laurel Street in the Spring Hill neighborhood. And my first thought was: could this have been more? 38 Laurel Street, Circa 2025 This seems like fairly serious construction, and itâs changing this site from 3 homes to having... still 3 homes.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/12/17/a-tale-of-two-lots/
6 months ago
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In the Weeds Zoning has always been a reflection of the peopleâs desire to control how their environment looks, which is another way of saying itâs an expression of our cityâs values. One value many of us share is to have a local environment that is greener and more environmentally friendly. ThatâŠ
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In the Weeds
Zoning has always been a reflection of the peopleâs desire to control how their environment looks, which is another way of saying itâs an expression of our cityâs values. One value many of us share is to have a local environment that is greener and more environmentally friendly. That is reflected in our current regulations that allow a maximum of 65% impermeable surface for newly built homes in residential districts.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/12/09/in-the-weeds/
6 months ago
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I am the Very Model of a Modern Major Upzoning How Somerville creates "missing middle" housing I am the very model of a modern major upzoningI've information efficiency, density, and filteringI know the price of homes, and I quote the cause economicalFrom Austin to Minneapolis, in orderâŠ
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I am the Very Model of a Modern Major Upzoning
How Somerville creates "missing middle" housing I am the very model of a modern major upzoningI've information efficiency, density, and filteringI know the price of homes, and I quote the cause economicalFrom Austin to Minneapolis, in order categoricalI'm very well acquainted, too, with matters transportationI understand production, both the finance and constructionAbout transit development I am teeming with a lot o' news…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/12/04/i-am-the-very-model-of-a-modern-major-upzoning/
7 months ago
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Mayor Wilson Transition Survey & Other News We hope youâve been enjoying our recent series of data-driven essays on planning and policy â if youâve missed them, you can find them at newsletter.somervilleyimby.org. Our next piece will take a look at what happens when a single lot in a typicalâŠ
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Mayor Wilson Transition Survey & Other News
We hope youâve been enjoying our recent series of data-driven essays on planning and policy â if youâve missed them, you can find them at newsletter.somervilleyimby.org. Our next piece will take a look at what happens when a single lot in a typical Somerville neighborhood is redeveloped. This week, be sure to fill out Mayor-elect Jake Wilsonâs community engagement survey…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/12/01/mayor-wilson-transition-survey-other-news/
7 months ago
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Where Did the Demand Come From? We at Somerville YIMBY talk a lot about the need to supply more homes to solve our housing shortage. But supply is only half the economic equation. We also need to ask ourselves where all this demand came from. Why have we seen such large increases in the cost ofâŠ
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Where Did the Demand Come From?
We at Somerville YIMBY talk a lot about the need to supply more homes to solve our housing shortage. But supply is only half the economic equation. We also need to ask ourselves where all this demand came from. Why have we seen such large increases in the cost of housing while similarly old and dense rust belt cities have stagnated?Â
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/11/25/where-did-the-demand-come-from/
7 months ago
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What Would SB 79 Look Like Here? Hi, all! Over the past two years, we have been working on an upzoning proposal for Somerville. With an new city council in 2026, it feels like a good time to move forward on it. In support of that effort, we hereby start a roughly weekly blog post series aboutâŠ
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What Would SB 79 Look Like Here?
Hi, all! Over the past two years, we have been working on an upzoning proposal for Somerville. With an new city council in 2026, it feels like a good time to move forward on it. In support of that effort, we hereby start a roughly weekly blog post series about upzoning in Somerville. We plan to cover a range of topics -- from open space to housing demand to affordability.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/11/18/what-would-sb-79-look-like-here/
7 months ago
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Action Alert: Starter Homes, Dormers, & Working Groups Get Involved: Join a Working Group Would you like to be more involved with Somerville YIMBY, but arenât quite sure where to start? Join one of our new working groups to discuss: Elections: How did we do in the 2025 election? What could we doâŠ
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Action Alert: Starter Homes, Dormers, & Working Groups
Get Involved: Join a Working Group Would you like to be more involved with Somerville YIMBY, but arenât quite sure where to start? Join one of our new working groups to discuss: Elections: How did we do in the 2025 election? What could we do better? Is our next election effort going to be in 2026 or 2027? Join the elections discussion on our messageboard…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/11/13/action-alert-starter-homes-dormers-working-groups/
7 months ago
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reposted by
Somerville YIMBY
Abundant Housing Massachusetts
7 months ago
đĄ Help us get more housing on the 2026 ballot! Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
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Legalize Starter Homes Day of Action
Cambridge City Councillor Burhan Azeem, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Campaign are organizing a coordinated Day of Action to rally support for legalizingâŠ
https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
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Congratulations to Our New Electeds Congratulations to mayor-elect Jake Wilson, and to new and returning members of the city council. While we did not endorse Jake Wilson for mayor due to his restrained support for our zoning proposals, we look forward to collaborating with him and supporting hisâŠ
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Congratulations to Our New Electeds
Congratulations to mayor-elect Jake Wilson, and to new and returning members of the city council. While we did not endorse Jake Wilson for mayor due to his restrained support for our zoning proposals, we look forward to collaborating with him and supporting his efforts to advance shared goals like housing affordability, safe streets, and more. Weâre thrilled to see our endorsed City Council candidates Ben Ewen-Campen, Emily Hardt, Jon Link, Will Mbah, Naima Sait, and Ben Wheeler take their seats in January.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/11/06/congratulations-to-our-new-electeds/
7 months ago
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Not Just Election News The big news on the election front is that Sen. Ed Markey has endorsed Willie Burnley Jr. â and early voting is on now! Be sure to vote this week or next Tuesday. Check hours and locations at somervillema.gov/elections. Canvassing with Jon Link (left) and Ben Wheeler (2ndâŠ
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Not Just Election News
The big news on the election front is that Sen. Ed Markey has endorsed Willie Burnley Jr. â and early voting is on now! Be sure to vote this week or next Tuesday. Check hours and locations at somervillema.gov/elections. Canvassing with Jon Link (left) and Ben Wheeler (2nd from left) We hope youâll join us for the last few days of the campaign season to help get out the vote for:
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/10/29/not-just-election-news/
8 months ago
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Immigrant Solidarity Rally, Elections, Community Meetings Canvassing with Jon Link (left) and Ben Wheeler (2nd from left) Weâve been out canvassing and we hope youâll join us for the last few days of the campaign season to help get out the vote for: Mayor: Willie Burnley, Jr. At-Large: ScottâŠ
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Immigrant Solidarity Rally, Elections, Community Meetings
Canvassing with Jon Link (left) and Ben Wheeler (2nd from left) Weâve been out canvassing and we hope youâll join us for the last few days of the campaign season to help get out the vote for: Mayor: Willie Burnley, Jr. At-Large: Scott Istvan At-Large: Jon Link At-Large: Will Mbah At-Large: Ben Wheeler Ward 5: Naima Sait Ward 7: Emily Hardt…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/10/20/immigrant-solidarity-rally-elections-community-meetings/
8 months ago
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reposted by
Somerville YIMBY
Wilfred Mbah
8 months ago
đ YOUâRE INVITED đ Join us this Wednesday, October 15th from 7-9PM at The Jungle for my Birthday Party & Fundraiser đ„ł Stop by for some food, music, and fun! Campaign contributions are encouraged, but not required. No one will be turned away! đ€ Warm up your vocal cordsâitâs also open mic night!
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reposted by
Somerville YIMBY
Davis Square Neighborhood Council
8 months ago
Join neighbors TONIGHT, October 13th, at 6 PM at the Cummings Center room 270 for a proactive conversation about development in Davis Square! Talk with fellow square residents and workers about what we want out of Davis Square development projects. Hosted by and only by the DSNC.
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Weekend canvassing & upcoming events This weekend weâll be out canvassing with Jon Link and Ben Wheeler. We hope youâll join us! Canvassing with Willie Burnley, Jr. Canvass with Jon Canvass with Ben We also encourage you to help our other endorsed candidates with time and/or money if you can:âŠ
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Weekend canvassing & upcoming events
This weekend weâll be out canvassing with Jon Link and Ben Wheeler. We hope youâll join us! Canvassing with Willie Burnley, Jr. Canvass with Jon Canvass with Ben We also encourage you to help our other endorsed candidates with time and/or money if you can: Willie Burnley, Jr. Scott Istvan Will Mbah Emily Hardt Naima Sait Davis Square Development Discussion on 10/13…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/10/10/weekend-canvassing-upcoming-events/
8 months ago
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Come out this weekend and get out the vote for Jon, one of our endorsed candidates for city council at large!
add a skeleton here at some point
8 months ago
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Two great events on Wednesday 10/8 Weâve got dueling events on Wednesday October 8, and we hope to see you at one of them! Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability Please join A Better Cambridge and Somerville YIMBY on October 8 for a panel discussion on Zoning Lessons for Housing AffordabilityâŠ
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Two great events on Wednesday 10/8
Weâve got dueling events on Wednesday October 8, and we hope to see you at one of them! Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability Please join A Better Cambridge and Somerville YIMBY on October 8 for a panel discussion on Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability From National to Local. This will be primarily an in-person event but a livestream will be available.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/10/07/two-great-events-on-wednesday-10-8/
8 months ago
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Panel on October 8: Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability, from National to Local Please join A Better Cambridge and Somerville YIMBY on October 8 for a panel discussion on Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability From National to Local. Speakers include: John Infranca of Suffolk Law and JakeâŠ
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Panel on October 8: Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability, from National to Local
Please join A Better Cambridge and Somerville YIMBY on October 8 for a panel discussion on Zoning Lessons for Housing Affordability From National to Local. Speakers include: John Infranca of Suffolk Law and Jake Gilbert of the National Zoning Atlas, who worked on the Massachusetts Zoning Atlas and will share their findings on zoning in Massachusetts including how little land in MA is zoned to allow multifamily homes.Â
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/10/02/panel-on-october-8-zoning-lessons-for-housing-affordability-from-national-to-local/
9 months ago
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October is Canvassing Time Do you like talking with people? Even if you donât, would you be willing to have a few short conversations anyway? Somerville YIMBY is knocking on doors and making calls for our endorsed candidates, and we need your help. Wear your Somerville YIMBY shirt if youâve gotâŠ
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October is Canvassing Time
Do you like talking with people? Even if you donât, would you be willing to have a few short conversations anyway? Somerville YIMBY is knocking on doors and making calls for our endorsed candidates, and we need your help. Wear your Somerville YIMBY shirt if youâve got one, and join us for canvassing for: Willie Burnley, Jr. Scott Istvan Ben Wheeler…
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/09/30/october-is-canvassing-time/
9 months ago
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Single-stair reform would be a huge win for building abundant homes in MA, and especially for allowing more family-friendly homes to be built!
add a skeleton here at some point
9 months ago
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Somerville CLT & Just A Start have acquired 297 Medford St to build a 100% Affordable project! Congrats to both organizations, we look forward to supporting this effort đ
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Somerville CLT & Just A Start Partnership Acquire 297 Medford St
We want to celebrate that Somerville Community Land Trust and Just A Start have successfully acquired 297 Medford St! The two organizations are planning to build a 100% income-restricted, Affordable Housing project. From their newsletter: This milestone marks an important step in promoting permanently affordable housing, neighborhood stability and community ownership in the Gilman Square neighborhood. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future that protects Somerville residents from speculation so that all of our neighbors can call Somerville home.
https://somervilleyimby.org/2025/09/19/somerville-clt-just-a-start-partnership-acquire-297-medford-st/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Somerville YIMBY
Cambridge Day
9 months ago
And now everything is (unofficially) counted for the preliminary here in Somerville. Some 100 votes remain to be hand counted, election officials say. Jake Willson seems to have 42 percent of the mayoral vote.
#Somerville
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