Housing and Community Development Committee

Committee Room & Remote Participation

Agenda — 11 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 11/11/25 at 8:15 AM)
2. 1 This meeting was held in-person and virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:32 pm by Chair Strezo and adjourned at 8:16 pm with a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Hardt, Ewen-Campen and Strezo), none opposed, and none absent. Others present: Ellen Shachter - Office of Housing Stability Director, Yasmine Raddassi - Legislative Liaison, Luisa Oliveira - Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry, Rachel Nadkarni - Director of Economic Development, Dana Whiteside - Deputy Director of Economic Development and Delaney Fisher-Cassiol - Clerk of Committees
3. 2 Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QFc1njXAQz6kW0CH1Dgzng Individuals 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, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
4. 3 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting of June 30, 2025. 25-1224 Accepted Pass
6. 2. That the Director of Office of Housing Stability appear before the Housing and Community Development Committee to discuss the current status of residents facing displacement and the number of households seeking rental assistance. 24-0075 Kept in committee
7. 3. That the Memorialization Committee dedicate a memorial to Kenneth Lonergan. 25-0140 Kept in committee
8. 4. That the Director of Parks and Recreation discuss how inclusive playground accessibility is being considered in future playground plans and redesign projects. 24-0070 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 5. That the Director of Economic Development discuss with this Council ways to provide small businesses with financial and technical support when impacted by construction and other emergencies. 24-1008 Recommended to be marked work completed
10. 6. That the Director of Economic Development appear before this Council’s Committee on Housing and Community Development to discuss the immediate plans and short-term response efforts to best support and sustain small businesses, post-COVID. 24-1488 Recommended to be marked work completed
11. 10 Referenced Documents: • HCD - 2025-11-18 Memo (with 24-0075) • HCD - 2025-11-18 Presentation (with 24-0070) • HCD - 2025-11-18 Presentation (with 24-1008, 24-1488)