The final session of Citizens Academy took place in a new house at 636 Douglas Street, an appropriate setting for a discussion of economic development and housing. The overall theme was “Fostering Growth and Stability.”
The academy members gathered at a long table in the empty dining room for a presentation that was set up in the adjoining living room. The PowerPoint went over such things as the purpose of economic development with regards to quality of life and economic stability, programs and tools that support it, the functions of the Housing Department and its connection to economic development, and the role of grants in funding development.
The purpose of economic development is to promote a diversified, thriving economy, focusing on local income growth, business stability, and job creation. Positive outcomes include business attraction, tourism expansion, increased personal income and business profits, and revitalization. These elements are all incredibly important in a place like Cambridge.
Meanwhile, the mission of the local Housing Department is “to make the City of Cambridge a livable community for its residents and to support their right to quality homes that are affordable, safe, and healthy.” To that end, “Healthy Homes” is the umbrella approach of developing housing initiatives that fulfill those goals. Among them is Homeownership Works, the program under which the house at 636 Douglas Street and those around it were funded.
The academy members expressed their admiration of the house. Housing Programs Manager Ed Crosby, who was in attendance, beamed with pride as he conducted a tour of the two-story dwelling. It was well appointed, with excellent kitchen facilities, a master bedroom with two closets, bookshelves built into the walls, and a cooled crawlspace. However, one drawback is that the backyard is almost nonexistent, and the rear rooms have a view of a dilapidated shed connected to a house across the way.
Crosby also participated in a forum with City Commissioner Sputty Cephas and Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson. Crosby talked about the city’s new tenant advocate, Cephas was asked about local legislative action related to motivating property owners downtown, and Hesson discussed economic development and the fact that Cambridge is at a place where it is trying to retain businesses without being able to attract new ones.
As the session ended, the coordinators asked the members to sign up for a focus group in early June to give feedback on the Academy program. It will be interesting to learn the general verdict of this new initiative.
