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Public meeting Feb. 3 to discuss artist certification process, application timeline. 15 of the 100 units in the development to be designated affordable. 5 of the 15 affordable units are for certified artists.
The Somerville Arts Council and the Housing Division of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development announced this week a public meeting to discuss a first-of-its-kind housing opportunity for Somerville artists. On Wed., Feb. 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Armory at 191 Highland Ave., City staff will present information about five (5) affordable rental units for certified artists as artist live/work space. The 5 affordable artist units are included in the 15 total affordable housing units to be offered through the City’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, but are the first of their kind to be offered specifically to income eligible artists in Somerville.
Eight rental units will be restricted to households at or below fifty percent of Area Median Income, and seven rental units will be restricted to households at or below eighty percent of Area Median Income. The affordable units at Millbrook Lofts range in size from one to two bedrooms.
The City of Somerville has established through zoning the creation of artist spaces permanently dedicated to artists. An individual who seeks to rent or purchase one of these artist units will be required to submit a current Artist Certificate as proof of eligibility. Artist Certificates will be provided to applicants who qualify as an artist living or working in Somerville and who can demonstrate to a committee of peers that they have a recent body of work as an artist. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
The Feb. 3 meeting will provide information to interested artists seeking income and artist eligibility requirements. Artist certification applications will be due to the Arts Council by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 17. Subsequent meetings will be held for all other interested (non-artist) applicants as normal for affordable rental opportunities. Additional information sessions will be held Feb. 10 at the Armory from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Visiting Nurse Assisted Living (VNA) at 259 Lowell St.
All applicants selected for the affordable rental opportunities – artist or resident – must be recertified after a specified period of time for income eligibility.
Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, 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 the City’s ADA Coordinator, Betsy Allen, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or BAllen@somervillema.gov.
~City of Somerville
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No offense to the artists but I wish that kind of effort could be put into the increasing problem of the homeless here in Somerville which has been increasing. There are children and seniors and everyone in between. Where are the priorities here? Sad.
20 of the 100 units in this eyesore are 2 bedroom ($3,900-$4,300 per month). The rest are studio / 1 BR. No 3 BR’s. They need a new sign for developers “FNNA” – Families Need Not Apply. At least those who can afford to live there will have a token dash of artists to make it feel hip & gritty in their little slice of expensiveville.
A.Moore there are loads of places set aside for housing. Homelessness is addressed in a completely different way. While pointing out that this isn’t fixing homelessness raises awareness of homelessness it does not help anyone to understand what they could be doing. You seem very connected to this issue, write a letter to the editor or point to specific ways people can get involved.
Wish I had the answers but it seems to be always ignored. It has been increasing. It is being addressed somewhat in other cities but not here. I grew up thinking homeless were people who did not want to work and mostly drank which is what I heard and believed it. After meeting some over the years and bringing them into my home I got a rude awakening. The circumstances that put them in this position could happen to any one of us. The system in place to help this is not working as they don’t have the resources. I will admit I never gave it a thought until until I learned first hand. I am not an expert on this, I just go by what I see and learn. Maybe I bring it up too often but I get annoyed at seeing funds that could be put to better use. At least in my mind.
2BRs in new apartments may not be attractive to all families, but they do siphon off demand for 3 bedrooms in the old housing stock of 2-3 unit buildings as smaller households, singles, and roommates won’t be competing for those. So I’d say this is good for families. A brand new 3 BR would be massively expensive and being 4 floors up from the ground would not be appealing to a family with young children anyhow.
philb I agree with you, the best thing the region could do to support families is to build more student housing and require students to live in dorms. this would free up a ton of “family” housing capacity.
A.moore, I think one pile of funds that would be well used for this is our CPA dollars.
I have firsthand knowledge of a family of 4, with one special needs child, who are being forced out of their current home so that the landlord can upgrade property and charge more rent. This family has found it IMPOSSIBLE to secure another home, and is now on state/fed emergency list for housing. Rents in Somerville is ridiculously high and this family who has lived in the area 20+ has no were to go. But hey, at least there will be 5 “certified artists” who won’t have that issue. I bet this helps the Art council sleep better at night. Do I sound harsh, you’re darned straight! How can this be allowed to happen??? This is a shame..Somerville! Anyone willing to help this family like they are helping the artists???
Uh-huh…we’ve heard these sorts of stories before. Mighty heartbreaking – if true. Unfortunately, this has nothing whatsoever to do with the program described in this article. This allegedly dispossessed family wasn’t living in this building, was it? No.
I’m sure that your imaginary homeless family will get plenty of aid and comfort from you and your imaginary like-minded concerned citizens.
Not even a good try. Rather pathetic, actually.