CMA 2026-235 · Agenda item attachment · Aug 3 2026

CMA 2026-235 IN CITY COUNCIL August 3, 2026 To the Honorable, the City Council, I am writing to recommend the following appointment of Will MacArthur to the City Manager and Mayor’s Joint Cambridge Social Housing Task Force, for a one-year duration, effective June 1, 2026. Will MacArthur is the Data and Research Manager at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, where he supports data-driven policy development and research. Previously, he performed mixed-methods evaluations of housing programs as a Program Analyst at Enterprise Community Partners and conducted urban planning and community informed research for Massachusetts- based municipal clients as a Research Consultant at Rivera Consulting. Will is also a committed volunteer for housing justice and economic opportunity in Cambridge, having served as Staff Director, Finance Director, and Maintenance Director at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and as a volunteer tax preparer in Just a Start's VITA program. A lifelong Cambridge resident, he attended Cambridge Public Schools from kindergarten through his graduation from Cambridge Rindge and Latin. He holds a Master's degree with Distinction in Public and Urban Policy from the University of Glasgow and a Bachelor's degree magna cum laude in Social Studies from Harvard University. As the City continues to confront an ongoing housing affordability crisis, there is a clear need to explore additional municipal tools to support housing production and preservation. Over the past year, social housing has emerged as a promising area for further study. In September 2025, a City Council policy order was passed and the Housing Committee convened to begin discussion around this model. A central takeaway from those conversations has been that key operational, financial, and governance questions must be thoughtfully addressed in order to move forward and in an April Finance Committee meeting, the City Council identified social housing as a priority for long-term scoping and potential implementation. This Task Force is intended to advance that work through a coordinated effort between the Mayor and the City Manager. The group will bring together City officials, staff, and community stakeholders to examine policy options and develop actionable recommendations. The work of the Task Force will be supported by a consultant to ensure thorough analysis and facilitation.

The Mayor and City Manager worked collaboratively to identify a set of organizations and stakeholders with deep expertise in housing policy, development, finance, and tenant advocacy, and invited them to designate representatives. This approach is intended to ensure that the Task Force reflects a broad range of perspectives across the housing ecosystem. Additional members may be added as needed to further strengthen the group’s diversity and expertise. I am pleased to recommend Will, whose experience and experience will enable him to be a valuable member of the Cambridge Social Housing Task Force. I appreciate his willingness to serve and, with your approval, look forward to his appointment. Very truly yours, Yi-An Huang City Manager

City of Cambridge A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Will MacArthur to the Social Housing Task Force.