Somerville Announces 2020 Community Preservation Act Projects

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City Council recently approved over $2 million in Community Preservation Act funding to six open space and historic preservation projects on the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee.

This year the CPC awarded $200,000 to the Open Space Acquisition and Improvement Stabilization Fund, $300,000 for Central Hill Campus Phase 1, $122,000 to renovate the park at the former Powder House Community School and $505,436 to build an elevator at the Somerville Museum, making its programs and collections more accessible. The Somerville Affordable Housing Trust (SAHT), the housing arm of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), awarded $577,460 to five affordable housing projects.

To date, the Somerville CPA program has awarded more than $26 million to 79 affordable housing, historic resources and open space/recreation land projects since its adoption in 2012. This includes $2.96 million in matching funds from the state.

"In FY20 the CPC has continued its support of affordable housing programs that include affordable rental housing, rent assistance, housing stability assistance and housing for victims of domestic violence in coordination with the SAHT," CPC Chair Jane Carbone said in a statement. "The CPC also recognizes the importance of health and recreation benefits that open spaces provide and the importance of the history of the City. We are excited about the work we have done in FY20, and we are looking forward to seeing what great ideas the community puts forward for projects in FY21."

For more information on the CPA, sign up for the CPA Email Newsletter by visiting the City’s website at www.somervillema.gov/cpa and clicking “Sign Up Now for CPA News.”