The city released three Anti-Displacement Task Force reports late last month.

By Jeffrey Shwom

Almost 20 months after beginning its effort, the City of Somerville released three Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF) Reports on January 30, with hopes of informing and guiding city and state level policies concerning displacement. Three committees were formed “to develop recommendations aimed at reducing the rate of displacement,” per the city.

Residential

The Residential task force listed 10 recommendations, the first of which is to “build on the efforts…in drafting a rent stabilization home rule petition filed with the State Legislature and continue to advocate.” Termed “critical components” of the Home Rule Petition include an annual cap on rent increases (with exemptions for rent-restricted housing and owner-occupied units), stabilized rents between turnover of tenants, giving developers of new construction 15 years to gain a certificate of occupancy.

a 15-year certificate of occupancy requirement for new construction.

Other residential recommendations include encouraging building sales to affordable housing developers, a local ordinance that requires landlords to notify tenants when selling, and keep existing levels of funding for legal services for tenants facing eviction. Morena Zelaya, co-chair of the Residential Displacement Committee, exclaimed, “As this report outlines, the city is doing so many great things to try and meet those challenges but there is always more work to do!”

Creative

The Creative Displacement Committee reminded us through their efforts that “Creatives nationwide are under attack” where they live and work, in how they share their work and make money, how much they earn and pay for necessities.

Musician Jenn Harrington said, the report “is a genuine reflection of our collective efforts. It’s informative, well-organized, passionate, and deeply human. In many ways, it’s a work of art – as much as a report can be. We wanted to capture the heart and the pain of our creatives and our community, ensuring they know they’ve been heard and that we are truly honored to have them here.”

The six policy initiatives focus on more integration of arts and creativity into the city ecosystem, an effort to cultivate and preserve creative space, using zoning and city ordinances to support Arts and Culture, enhancing business development, and establishing funding sources. Ideas include expanding grants through the Somerville Arts Council, a proposed property tax surcharge, and adoption of a “Statement of Values for the Arts” to remind folks and the city of the importance of keeping arts and the creative economy top of mind.

Small Business

For the Small Enterprise Displacement Committee, it divided its nine actions into the short, middle and long term. Ted Fields, Senior Economic Development Planner, the committee focused on three goals: “How can the city stop businesses from having to move or close? What can the city do right away to help? What parts of commercial displacement are beyond the city’s control and need help from the State or Federal government?” For example, a final version of the Commercial Leasing Handbook, which aims to help local small business owners understand commercial property leasing, has already been prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) for city and Committee review.

The Committee also called for a Commercial Tenant Bill of Rights, changing the Vacant Storefront ordinance, an expansion of the city’s Site Finding Assistance Program, and suggested creation of an “entity to find and manage spaces or businesses to rent at lower prices.” Jessica Eshleman, committee member and Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets, said “Somerville has a real opportunity to continue to be a national leader in anti-displacement efforts, especially for independently-owned, small businesses. Opportunities for zoning to encourage affordable commercial space in conjunction with density bonuses … is a strategy not yet happening in our country. This is one of the things that excites me most in the report. If anyone can do it, Somerville can.”

In a press release from the Mayor’s Office, “The ADTF was called into action in 2023 by Mayor Ballantyne in response to not only the housing crisis but also rental pressures on local businesses, nonprofits, and the cultural arts that can lead to displacement.” The Spring 2025 date for a panel discussion with committee members and film viewing commissioned by the Task Force has yet to be set.