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POR 2016 #146 · Agenda item attachment · May 23 2016
That the Housing Committee hold a meeting to discuss the Inclusionary Zoning preferential point system to determine if there are certain occupations that should receive preferential points to prioritize their position on the Inclusionary Zoning list
City of Cambridge
O-7
ORIGINAL ORDER
IN CITY COUNCIL
May 23, 2016
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS:
Artists provide an invaluable service to the City of Cambridge, as their work
contributes to the community’s vibrant culture, yields economic gains, and is a source
of creative energy that helps drive the City’s character, making it a more desirable
place to live; and
WHEREAS:
As of 2015, the median fine artist made $46,460 annually, far below most other
professions; and
WHEREAS:
The average home price in Cambridge is $648,000 and the average rental price for a
one bedroom apartment is $2,293 per month; and
WHEREAS:
In addition to housing, the rising cost of studio space places a major strain on artists, as
a typical 200 square foot workspace can cost $500 per month; and
WHEREAS:
Professional artists are being priced out of Cambridge and taking their talents to less
costly cities and towns; and
WHEREAS:
An exodus of artists from the City would be detrimental to the art sector of the
economy, the aesthetic beauty of Cambridge, the well-being of its residents, and
strength of its neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS:
The City of Somerville has worked with developers to create affordable rental units
specifically for artists; and
WHEREAS:
The Boston Redevelopment Authority allocates affordable rental units and work spaces
to visual, literary, and performing artists; and
WHEREAS:
Both Boston and Somerville created Artist Certification processes to ensure that
applicants qualified as artists living or working in their respective communities and
could demonstrate to a committee of peers that they have a recent body of work as an
artist; and
WHEREAS:
The City’s Inclusionary Housing Program offers affordable housing units in
Cambridge to low and middle income applicants; and
WHEREAS:
The Inclusionary Housing Program ranks applicants in the Rental Applicant Pool
based on a priority point system that assigns point values to Cambridge residents,
families with children, and applicants with an emergency housing need; now therefore
be it
ORDERED:
That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to collaborate with the Cambridge
Arts Council to create a process for Artist Certification to ensure that applicants are
full-time/career practicing artists; and be it further
ORDERED:
That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to prioritize the placement of artists
in the Inclusionary Housing Program by assigning artists who have been certified by
the Cambridge Arts Council one additional point in the Rental Application Pool.