Candidates sought for Fair Housing Commission and Condominium Review Board

Two City of Somerville housing boards, charged with preventing housing discrimination in the city and with enforcing the condominium conversion ordinance to protect renting tenants, have vacancies and the city invites interested candidates to apply and represent the community.

Somerville Fair Housing Commission

The Somerville Fair Housing Commission receives complaints about possible fair housing violations, and provides information and assistance to residents, including referrals to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services. The Commission also conducts outreach to educate the public about state and federal fair housing laws and to minimize housing discrimination.

There are five volunteer residents on the Commission, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen for three-year terms, which must include a city or Housing Authority employee; a representative of a nonprofit community-based organization; a local realtor or lender; a low or moderate income tenant; and a person with substantial civil rights experience. The Commission generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from 12-1 p.m. at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.

There are currently three vacancies on the Commission: one low or moderate income resident, one representative of a nonprofit community-based organization, and one city or Housing Authority employee. Commissioners must live in Somerville.

Somerville Condominium Review Board

The Somerville Condominium Review Board oversees applications for the conversion of rental units to condominium and for the sale of a condominium unit that has most recently been a rental unit, as required by the city’s condominium conversion ordinance. The Board also conducts hearings, surveys and updates information about rental units in Somerville.

There are five members on the Board, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen for three-year terms, which must include two homeowners, two tenants, and one elderly, handicapped or low or moderate income resident. Board members receive a stipend. The Board generally meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

There are currently two vacancies on the Board: one homeowner representative and one tenant representative. Board members must live in Somerville.

How to Apply

Candidates for either board must submit a written statement of interest and resume:

• For the Fair Housing Commission, statements and resumes should be sent to vwairi@somervillema.gov.
• For the Condominium Review Board, statements and resumes should be sent to rkoty@somervillema.gov.
• For either board, applicants can also drop off or mail their statements and resumes to City of Somerville Housing Division, 50 Evergreen Ave., Somerville, MA 02145.

Submissions are due by Aug. 31. For more information about the Fair Housing Commission, contact Vicki Wairi, Housing Program Specialist, at vwairi@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 extension 2588. For more information about the Condominium Review Board, contact Russell Koty at rkoty@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 extension 2568.

— City of Somerville