I was profoundly disappointed that the housing affordability crisis was not addressed in the City Manager’s Budget Presentation at the City Council meeting on April 8.
Although Mr. Proakis is open to and advocates for a range of solutions to our housing affordability crisis, during his presentation he did not acknowledge the crisis and did not prioritize housing affordability – as a City and for the new Human Services Director.
At the meeting, City Manager Proakis correctly positioned the City Council, the community, and staff to consider how economic uncertainty and likely far-reaching government cuts will impact municipal funding. It will also impact residents’ ability to remain housed.
In light of the current economic threats, we should make sure that we’re giving serious thought to priorities for Fiscal Year 2027; and talking to our City Councilors about it.
Watertown needs an eye on two things: spurring new growth (for both tax revenues and needed housing) and protecting the most impacted Watertown residents.
The Fair Housing study Recommendations confirm this. Aside from zoning for more low-income and workforce housing, the report suggests the most impactful investment to tackle discrimination and to prevent homelessness is to create programs and policies benefiting low-income households and landlords willing to rent to them.
Watertown has taken some important steps and is soon to take more on both fronts – zoning and attention to housing services and stability. We passed the MBTA-Communities Act, began creating new ADU building ordinances, and hopefully will fund the hiring of a new Human Services Director. And, we will soon be considering the recommendations from the Fair Housing report and our planned affordable housing study.
I hope, in the future, Watertown can hire staff focused on housing affordability and services. Until then, let’s seek financially feasible opportunities.
Would the City consider creating a Watertown Affordable and Fair Housing Task Force to function as the City’s problem-solving team and to join other communities to share resources and ideas?
Would it consider recommending a percentage of Community Preservation Act funds be awarded annually to the Affordable Housing Trust – as many communities are doing – to help fund a pilot program that assists low-income residents and incentivizes landlords?
I hope the City Council supports Housing Affordability as a Watertown 2027 Budget Strategic Priority. Discussion for that budget starts this fall. Let’s be ready for it.
Sincerely,
Jacky van Leeuwen
(Note: I am writing as a resident of Watertown, not as a Housing for All Watertown’s Steering Committee member. But, please do consider joining HAW if you would like to help with this mission)