That the City Manager is requested to use the Federal Stabilization Fund to provide one-time stabilization payments to Cambridge-based and Cambridge-serving organizations impacted by FY27 MOVA cuts, report back to the City Council with a proposed funding plan, and work with the Mayor's Office and other relevant City staff to engage with the broader Cambridge nonprofit community to assess the full scope of federal and state funding reductions and their impact on the City's safety net services.  

POR 2026-121 FIRST IN COUNCIL June 8, 2026 June 22, 2026 City of Cambridge MAYOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER COUNCILLOR ZUSY COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY COUNCILLOR NOLAN WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) provides critical funding, supported by federal dollars, for services to victims and survivors of crime, including domestic violence, sexual assault, housing instability, legal advocacy, counseling, crisis response, and related supports; and WHEREAS: Cambridge-based and Cambridge-serving organizations have reported significant FY27 MOVA funding reductions, affecting Transition House, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, De Novo Center for Justice and Healing, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and On The Rise; and WHEREAS: The City has been in communication with representatives of affected organizations that requested a combined total of $4,224,675 for FY27 and were awarded $2,548,104, resulting in an estimated funding gap of $1,676,570; and WHEREAS: This gap will have serious impacts on direct services, including reductions in clinical support, legal advocacy, housing stabilization, food and transportation assistance, culturally responsive services, multilingual services, and staffing capacity; and WHEREAS: Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, immigrant survivors, unhoused residents, youth, LGBTQIA+ residents, elder survivors, and transgender survivors may face longer wait times, fewer available supports, and greater barriers to safety as a result of these reductions; and WHEREAS: These reductions are the result of a federal funding crisis and not a reflection of reduced community need, organizational performance, or importance of these services to Cambridge residents, and the City recognizes the need to engage the wider nonprofit community to fully understand the scope and consequences of federal funding reductions on Cambridge's safety net services; and WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has a responsibility to protect essential safety net services and ensure that residents that rely on them are not left without support during a period of federal disinvestment; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to use the Federal Stabilization Fund to provide one-time stabilization payments to Cambridge-based and Cambridge- serving organizations impacted by FY27 MOVA cuts; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with a proposed funding plan, including the balance of the Federal Stabilization Fund and a proposed timeline for disbursement; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Mayor's Office and other relevant City staff to engage with the broader Cambridge nonprofit community to assess the full scope of federal and state funding reductions and their impact on the City's safety net services; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Council go on the record reaffirming its commitment to standing with victims and survivors of crime, and preserving Cambridge's network of victim services, violence prevention, legal advocacy, housing stabilization, and culturally responsive community-based support during this extraordinary period of federal disinvestment. In City Council June 22, 2026. Adopted as Amended by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 8; Nays 0; Absent 1.- Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk