In This Issue
SCC is Hiring!
Financial Literacy Class. Next Class Begins March 22
First Time Homebuyer Class. Saturdays | March 19 & 26; Wed & Thur | April 13 - 21
Upcoming Events & Meetings
Rental Applications Now Available for Union Square Apartments
Planning Board Recommends AHOC's 20% Inclusionary Zoning
New Cohort Graduates from SCC's Leadership Training
Union United to Meet with Mayor Curtatone. Upcoming Opportunities to Get Involved
Tenants Unite to Fight Against Unfair Rent Hikes
SCC's Donuts with Delegates Brings Key Issues (and donuts) to the Table
First Source Member Spotlight: Bill Salom


SCC is Hiring!  

SCC is seeking to fill the following position: 
 
Marketing & Communications Part Time Associate 
SCC is looking for a Marketing and Communications Associate to work 15 hours per week to support staff to develop and maintain SCC's written and electronic communications to members, funders, and others interested in SCC's work. This person will produce monthly e-newsletters; manage media presence through website, social media and local press; help produce SCC promotional and communication materials; be part of SCC's communications strategic decision making and growth; and support the SCC team with other relevant communications work. Read the full job description
 

For more information about these positions, visit our website or contact Meridith Levy, Deputy Director at [email protected] or 617.776.5931 x242


Financial Literacy Class
Next Class Begins March 22

Reserve your spot for our next series which begins on March 22nd. 
   
Class will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from March 22 - April 12. 

Over the course of four weeks, participants will gain important information and skills to help them navigate their financial lives more successfully . Graduates will receive a $200 stipend to get them started on a successful financial path!

Dinner and childcare will be available. 

Participants must:
  • Pre-register
  • Attend all 7 sessions AND 2 counseling sessions with SCC staff to successfully graduate
  • Live and/or work in Somerville;
  • Qualify under these income guidelines
Click here for the 2016 schedule
 
For more information or to register, please contact Thais at 617-776-5931 x239 or



First Time Homebuyer Class
Next Class Begins April 13

April 13, 14, 20 & 21 | 6:00-9:00 PM
at SCC, 337 Somerville Ave, Somerville

This 12-hour program will feature presentations by a real estate agent, a lender, a home inspector, a real estate attorney, and an insurance agent, in addition to SCC staff, providing everything you need to know before you start the process of buying your first home.

Upon completion, participants receive a certificate enabling them to access products geared towards first-time homebuyers, such as the  ONE Mortgage.
  
Participants must:
  • Pre-register
  • Attend all 4 sessions
Click here for the 2016 Schedule

Our next First-Time Homebuyer Class:   May 18, 19, 25 & 26 |  6:00 - 9:00 PM 
____________________________

Register for Online Course

SCC is now offering THE ROAD HOME, an online homebuyer training! 
 
The majority of the course is done in one's own time, but participants must attend one in-person session at the Somerville Community Corporation. This session is 2 hours long and is held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
 
The course is $100 per individual.

For more information or to register, please contact Thais at 617-776-5931 x239 or



Upcoming Events & Meetings  
Our numerous groups and committees meet regularly and are open to newcomers! 

Click on the calendar below to learn more about meetings and events coming up:  

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Quick Links  

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Last September we had a groundbreaking ceremony for our Union Square Apartments development at 181 Washington Street in Somerville. Much progress has been made to lay the groundwork and now rising from the foundation is the frame that will hold 35 new affordable units. SCC is pleased to announce that applications are now available to fill these units. See below for more details about the application process. 
 
Beyond this, there is so much more going on at SCC these days -- from the completion of our 9th Annual Leadership Development Institute, to the board approval of our Affordable Housing Organizing Committee's 20% Inclusionary Proposal, to strategic meetings with local legislatures to voice our priorities for continued movement toward equitable policies.

Continue reading to learn about our latest news and opportunities to get involved and make a difference in your community.

From all of us at SCC, thank you for your support.


Rental Applications Now Available for
Union Square Apartments
SCC and Winn Residential are pleased to announce that rental applications for the upcoming Union Square Apartments development are now available!

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MAY 5TH



Union Square Apartments (181 Washington Street, Somerville) construction is moving ahead and expected to be completed this summer.  
  • 35 New Affordable Apartments - Occupancy Expected August 2016
  • One, Two & Three Bedroom Apartments
  • Available for Income Eligible Families and Individuals
Household Size
1 person
2 persons
3 persons
4 persons
5 persons
6 persons
Maximum Income
$41,400
$47,280
$53,220
$59,100
$63,840
$68,580

APPLICATIONS
 can be picked up weekdays from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the following locations:
  • Winn Residential Office - 7 Memorial Road #109, Somerville.
  • Somerville Community Corporation - 337 Somerville Ave., Somerville.
  • Somerville Housing Authority, Somerville Homeless Coalition, City Hall and Annex, Somerville Library.

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS
 in person no later than 4:00 PM on May 5th or by mail postmarked no later than May 5th to Winn Residential Office, 7 Memorial Road #109, Somerville, MA 02145 
  • Tenants selected for initial occupancy and waiting list placement through a lottery. Placement determined by lottery number priority and not the time and date of application.
  • Lottery will be held on May 12th at 9:30 AM at the Somerville City Hall located at 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02145. Applicants do not need to be present during the lottery as all applicants will be notified by mail.
INFORMATION SESSIONS will be held on the following days for those looking for more information 
  • March 23rd and April 14th at 6:00pm at Somerville Community Corporation, 337 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

FOR MORE INFORMATION
about the  application process, or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, call (617) 591-0577. TDD/TTY: (800) 439-2370
 


Planning Board Recommends AHOC's
20% Inclusionary Zoning Proposal
The Affordable Housing Organizing Committee's (AHOC) proposal for more affordable housing in new developments is finally getting close to implementation! Last Thursday the planning board recommended our proposal for 20% inclusionary zoning, along with some amendments from the Planning Department. These recommendations will now go to the Land Use Committee of the Board of Aldermen. We are looking forward to discussing the amendments with the Board to ensure that they do not reduce the percentage of overall affordable housing or the amount of units for low-income households. Please support us as we enter the final push for a measure that will make sure new development benefits those at risk of displacement!

There are two upcoming opportunities to support AHOC:
  • AHOC monthly meeting on Thursday, March 17, 6-8pm at SCC
  • Land Use Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 6-7pm at City Hall

For more information about AHOC, please contact Rene at 617-776-5931 x226 or [email protected]


New Cohort Graduates from SCC's Leadership Training  
On March 12, an amazing group of leaders graduated from the 9th annual Leadership Development Institute. Over the last four weeks, the participants discussed different types of leadership, how to build relationships with community members, how to understand power, and how the local government works in Somerville.

This year's class included teenagers, grandparents, recent immigrants, and lifelong Somerville residents. We had interpretation from LDI veterans Juliana Tedesco, Claudio Ruiz, and Fernanda Lima, and guest presentations from LDI graduates Marie Douge, Will Mbah, Van Hardy, and alderman Matt McLaughlin.



Congratulations to these new SCC leaders
Watch out, Somerville!


Union United to Meet with Mayor Curtatone
Upcoming Opportunities to Get Involved
After two years, the call for development without displacement is more urgent than ever. Union United is happy to announce that we will be sitting down with Mayor Curtatone later this month to talk about how displacement is affecting the Union Square community and how we can work together to address that displacement through a real community benefits agreement.

Union United is also planning two canvasses for Saturday March 19 and March 26. This is a chance for us to meet more residents and business owners, hear from them about their concerns, and invite them to join our efforts. We are building toward a rally on April 1 to highlight the impact of displacement. Please let Karen know if you want to join on either day!

Do you believe the community should have a voice in Union Square?
Union United meets the first Thursday of the month, from 5:30-8:00 PM at St. Joseph's Church (264 Washington Street).
 
For more information and to get involved in Union United, please contact Karen at [email protected] 617-776-5931 x 230 


Tenants Unite to Fight Against Unfair Rent Hikes
 SCC is organizing tenants from buildings on Summer Street recently purchased by a landlord with a history of raising rents and not maintaining properties. Following doorknocking and conversations with tenants in the buildings, we organized a tenant meeting where 15 residents shared their stories and brainstormed next steps. If the tenants are united, they can fight back against unfair rent increases!

If you live at 151-163 Summer Street and want to get involved, please contact Frances at [email protected]


SCC's Donuts with Delegates
Brings Key Issues (and donuts) to the Table
On March 11th, SCC staff and members met with Representative Toomey, Representative Barber, and Senator Jehlen's Chief of Staff, Matt Hartman to share insights about key issues in Somerville while enjoying coffee and donuts from Union Square Donuts!

We had a thoughtful discussion about a number of topics, including affordable housing, access to jobs, community  benefits, and the Green Line Extension (GLX). Our legislators affirmed that the top issue of concern they hear about on a daily basis from their constituents is affordable housing. We will continue to work together on state and city issues including: Jobs Linkage Fee; community benefits legislation; value capture as it impacts local jurisdictions; inclusionary zoning; funding for housing vouchers; increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour; state funding for Individual Development Accounts; increasing the CPA state match; and the development of the GLX.

SCC thanks members Yevakpo Agbovan, Nicole Dupré, and Jacinta Arena for each delivering strong and compelling presentations to help shape the discussion and convey our agenda. We are grateful to the Somerville Delegation of Legislators for their ongoing resourcefulness and commitment to the work we do at SCC.
 


First Source Member Spotlight: Bill Salom 
 

For more information about First Source Jobs, please contact Laura at [email protected] 
or 617-776-5931 x237.
As always, we appreciate feedback.  Be sure to join us on Facebook & Twitter for the most current info on what we're up to and how to get involved. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you soon! 

Sincerely,
Daniel LeBlanc
Somerville Community Corporation