Somerville Could See 2 Key Housing Votes This Week

SOMERVILLE, MA – Two significant housing votes could take place this Thursday, according to the Somerville City Council. At a 6 p.m. meeting of the Legislative Matters Committee of the Whole at City Hall, votes may be taken on the proposed condominium conversion and short-term rental ordinances.

Proposed changes to the condo conversion ordinance are designed to protect the rights of property owners while offering better protection to tenants, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities and persons with low and moderate incomes. Click here for a full summary of potential changes.

The short-term rental ordinance is designed to establish a registration process by which units in the city may become short-term rental units. Its aim is to protect the safety of both renters and residents, ensure the primary use of rentals remains residential and ensure that operation of short-term rentals is not a safety hazard or detrimental to the surrounding neighborhood. Read the full proposal here.

The proposals were developed during a series of public meetings throughout the fall and winter. Thursday's meeting will start at 6 p.m. at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers.