That the City Manager is requested to contract with an outside survey company to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of inclusionary tenants' experiences, with a particular emphasis on biased practices

City of Cambridge O-17 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL July 30, 2018 COUNCILLOR MALLON COUNCILLOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI WHEREAS: The City’s 20% Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance requires that affordable units meet the same high building, design, and material standards of the market rate units in a development; and WHEREAS: Material equality alone is not enough to end stigma and biased practices against individuals and families residing in designated affordable units; and WHEREAS: The City and individual City Councillors have only anecdotal evidence of bias against inclusionary tenants, even though this bias is known to be systematic; and WHEREAS: Previous surveys by the Community Development Department of inclusionary tenants have not specifically addressed the topic of bias they may experience from neighbors, tenants’ associations, landlords, or management companies; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department to contract with an outside survey company to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of inclusionary tenants’ experiences with particular emphasis on biased practices; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council at the September 17, 2018 City Council meeting.