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Lee Palmer submitting comments re: #200102, a proposed inclusionary housing ordinance.
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To the Honorable Board:
This past election cycle I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with hundreds of voters in Ward 3 as I campaigned for the open School Committee seat. I began all my conversations with the same summary of my platform and what motivated me to run, but invariably the topic would quickly turn to affordability. So many families I spoke with explained how they would love to stay in Somerville and have their children attend our public schools, but are worried they will priced out. Or, they would like to move out of their cramped 1-2 bedroom apartments and possibly purchase a home, but have little to no hope of doing so in the current market.
It would not be a stretch to say based on my conversations that affordability is the number one concern of the voters I spoke with. Even for those who are not directly affected by the rising cost of housing, voters expressed to me concerns about the future of our city where those who grew up here cannot afford to stay, and those who have young children in our schools will not be able to graduate from our high school with their peers because they are forced to relocate to other communities.
The time for studies has come and gone. We need to act NOW to make sure development benefits low and middle-income families. Inclusionary zoning set at 20% is just one tool to address our housing crisis, but it a reasonable and effective one that should be implemented as quickly as possible.
I was proud to be elected with one of the highest margins of victory for any office in the history of the city. I promised to speak for my constituents on issues of affordability, and I know just how many voters are counting on our leaders to provide any measures of relief we can implement.
Thank you for the consideration.
Sincerely,
Lee Erica Palmer