Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 1d

Real estate investors bought one-third of all single-family residential homes sold in the second quarter of 2025.

19 200 490

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 1d

Investors now make up the highest share of homebuyers in 5 years.

www.cnbc.com/2025/10/07/h...

Investors are making up the highest share of homebuyers in 5 years

Real estate investors, both individual and institutional, bought one-third of all single-family residential properties sold in the second quarter of 2025.

www.cnbc.com

2 47 160

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

Shelterforce @shelterforce.bsky.social · 15d

Communities often oppose new housing, citing concerns of school overcrowding. But research shows most districts are losing students—and with them, critical funding. It’s time to debunk this myth. Full story: bit.ly/3JORe7G

#FactCheck #AffordableHousing #EnrollmentCliff #UnderTheLens

1 5

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

City of Somerville @cityofsomerville.bsky.social · 15d

Community members are invited to a neighborhood meeting on October 6th to discuss public safety and homelessness in the broader Seven Hills/Davis Square area. 🧵

1 5 3

City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) @somervilleohs.bsky.social · 15d

OHS developed the Somerville Older Adult Housing Bridge Pilot Program with our partners. We're SO excited that this older adult housing stability program could go statewide. You're invited to a legislative briefing @ the State House Wed. Oct 8, 10am to learn more! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

1

City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) @somervilleohs.bsky.social · 16d

State public housing = affordable rent based on your income.
All Somerville residents welcome
Sign up & we’ll confirm eligibility bit.ly/CHAMP_Oct2025
Workshop is in English. Somerville can provide you an interpreter for free. Request at [email protected] or call 311 (617-666-3311)

City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) @somervilleohs.bsky.social · 16d

Please join us and share the word about our next OHS CHAMP Application Workshop!

October 23, 2025
City Hall Annex Conference Room
50 Evergreen Ave., Somerville MA 02143
Cost: Free

To register: scan the QR code, visit bit.ly/CHAMP_Oct2025 or call 617-625-6600 x2581 & request the CHAMP workshop

1 1 2

City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) @somervilleohs.bsky.social · 23d

We're glad you're our neighbor!
As we celebrate Welcoming Week, OHS joins City of Somerville staff to share a warm message of belonging to all our residents.
Thank you for your partnership, Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA)!
#WelcomingWeek #Somerville #BelongingBeginsWithUs

2 3

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

MassLegalHelp @masslegalhelp.bsky.social · Sep 5

When looking for a place to live, it's important to understand how landlords do tenant screening and what rights you have. Find out what laws landlords must follow to accept or reject you as a tenant.

In English www.masslegalhelp.org/housing-apar...

En español www.masslegalhelp.org/es/vivienda-...

Graphic with a blue box at the top with text that says “Tenant Screening.” Image in the center is a person who is wearing a backpack and standing next to moving boxes as someone hands them a set of keys. Text at bottom reads: Learn more at MassLegalHelp.org.

Gráfico con un recuadro azul en la parte superior con el texto "La selección de inquilinos." La imagen en el centro muestra a una persona que lleva una mochila y está de pie junto a unas cajas de mudanza mientras alguien le entrega un juego de llaves. El texto inferior dice: Aprenda más en MassLegalHelp.org/es.

1 1

City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) @somervilleohs.bsky.social · Sep 2

Helpful analysis from @nlihc.org

Original report on state-funded rental assistance: www.cbpp.org/sites/defaul...

Our MA programs incl. RAFT & MRVP are critical- & need codification! See & support these bills: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1... malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1...

NLIHC @nlihc.org · Sep 2

#NLIHC analyzed a recent report from the @centeronbudget.bsky.social that examines the implementation of state-funded rental assistance programs for low-income renters and their potential for helping solve the housing affordability crisis. See our analysis: nlihc.org/resource/sta...

1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

City of Somerville @cityofsomerville.bsky.social · Aug 28

All ward meetings are in-person and will begin at 6:30 p.m. An all-ward, fully virtual meeting will take place on Thursday, October 16.

First up is Ward 3 on Wednesday, September 17, in the Somerville High cafeteria (81 Highland Ave). A meet-and-greet with refreshments will begin at 6 p.m.

1 1 1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

City of Somerville @cityofsomerville.bsky.social · Aug 28

City buildings will be closed Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day. There will be no street sweeping on Monday 9/1 and all trash, recycling, and yard waste collection services will be delayed by one day. Visit www.somervillema.gov/trash-and-recycling for all pickup information

1 3

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

MassLegalHelp @masslegalhelp.bsky.social · Aug 28

Are you looking for an apartment? Here are some things to know and do before you agree to rent an apartment:

www.masslegalhelp.org/housing-apar... (English)

www.masslegalhelp.org/es/vivienda-... (español)

Our content is written and reviewed by legal aid programs, lawyers, and community partners.

Graphic with a blue box at the top with text that says “What should I do before I move into an apartment?” Image in the center is a house with a paper checklist in front of it being inspected by a magnifying glass. Text at bottom reads: Learn more at MassLegalHelp.org.

Gráfico con un recuadro azul en la parte superior con el texto "¿Qué debo hacer antes de mudarme a un apartamento?". La imagen del centro muestra una casa con una lista de verificación impresa frente a ella, que se inspecciona con una lupa. El texto en la parte inferior dice: Aprenda más en MassLegalHelp.org.

1 2

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

National Housing Law Project @nhlp.bsky.social · Aug 27

What should you do when your HUD housing provider asks about your immigration status? Our Know Your Rights resource in English & Spanish can help HUD families with mixed immigration status figure out how to handle some of your housing provider’s requests. Read more here: nhlp.org/kyrdata

Graphic with text reading: "Know Your Rights: Sharing Information about Immigration Status in HUD Housing Programs"

Gráfico con texto que dice: "Conozca sus derechos: Compartiendo informacion sobre el estatus migratorio en los programas de vivienda de HUD"

8 7

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

MassLegalHelp @masslegalhelp.bsky.social · Aug 27

Tenants - learn how to protect your security deposit in Massachusetts. Find out what laws landlords must follow. Get your deposit back when you move.

In English: www.masslegalhelp.org/housing-apar...

En español: www.masslegalhelp.org/es/vivienda-...

Graphic with a blue box at the top with text that says “How can I protect my security deposit?” Image in the center is a person holding cash in one hand and a laptop in their other, and a mobile phone opened to a banking app screen next to them. Text at bottom reads: Learn more at MassLegalHelp.org.

Gráfico con un recuadro azul en la parte superior con el texto "¿Cómo puedo proteger mi depósito de seguridad?". La imagen del centro muestra a una persona con efectivo en una mano y una laptop en la otra, y junto a ella un teléfono móvil abierto con una aplicación bancaria. El texto en la parte inferior dice: Aprenda más en MassLegalHelp.org/es.

1 2

City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) @somervilleohs.bsky.social · Aug 27

The City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.) building will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 28 due to the City Water Department shutting down water to this neighborhood area. OHS offices will not be physically available, but we'll be working remotely! Thanks for your understanding.

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

City of Somerville @cityofsomerville.bsky.social · Aug 26

Free Narcan distribution and overdose prevention trainings will be held throughout the month. Visit bit.ly/4mJcOsw for registration and more info.

COMMUNITY Overdose Prevention Training Sign-Up

Please click the link to complete this form.

bit.ly

1 1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

City of Somerville @cityofsomerville.bsky.social · Aug 26

This September, purple flags will return to the lawn of Somerville City Hall to honor those lost to opioid-related overdose in 2024 and in past years. The display is part of the City’s recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month.🧵

1 1 1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice @somerville-rsj.bsky.social · Aug 20

The 2025-26 RSJ Youth League application is now open! This great paid opportunity is designed to help foster civic engagement and learning opportunities for Somerville youth through a justice lens.

The application is open through September 22nd: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

Calling all Somerville Youth!

Make a difference in your community.

Fight for the issues you care about.

Join the RSJ Youth League!

APPLY NOW: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

2 1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

MassLegalHelp @masslegalhelp.bsky.social · Aug 19

¡Atención! Familias que reciben TAFDC: El Departamento de Asistencia Transicional hará pagos de $500 por cada menor de la familia que reciba TAFDC. Este año hará pagos el 29 de agosto.

Aprenda más: www.masslegalhelp.org/es/beneficio...

Esta imagen es un folleto con información sobre la Subvención para Ropa de Septiembre de TAFDC de 2025. Obtenga más información en https://www.masslegalhelp.org/es/beneficios-publicos-y-de-seguridad-de-ingreso-suplementario-ssi/ayuda-transicional-las-familias-0

1 1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

MassLegalHelp @masslegalhelp.bsky.social · Aug 19

Attention, families getting TAFDC! The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) pays a $500 clothing allowance for each child in the family who gets TAFDC. This year’s payment will go out on Aug 29th.

Learn more: www.masslegalhelp.org/public-benef...

This image is a flier with information about the 2025 TAFDC September Clothing Allowance. Learn more at https://www.masslegalhelp.org/public-benefits-ssi/tafdc/what-tafdc-september-clothing-allowance

1 3 1

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

Shelterforce @shelterforce.bsky.social · Aug 17

Accessibility is more than a ramp to the front door. We spoke with four disability activists about what they needed to make their homes accessible, and how difficult it can be to find accessible housing. Listen to their stories:

What Makes Our Homes Accessible?

Accessibility is more than a ramp to the front door. In this video, Shelterforce spoke with four disability activists about what they needed to make their homes accessible, and how difficult it can…

youtu.be

2 3

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

MassBudget @massbudget.bsky.social · Aug 13

🆕 The Special Legislative Commission to Study Poverty released its final report, outlining recommendations to expand economic mobility in MA. TY to Sen. @saldidomenico.bsky.social, Rep. Marjorie Decker, and all the commissioners that led this important work. #mapoli

Read it here: buff.ly/vq0rS1I

1 2 3

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

Institute for Research on Poverty @irpwisc.bsky.social · Aug 13

The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families has extended the deadline for its 2025 professional development grant program for doctoral students and early career scholars to 8/18/25 @ 5pm EST. Learn more: www.hispanicresearchcenter.org/emerging-sch...

Professional Development Grants - Hispanic Research Center

The Center will provide awards of up to $2,850 for professional development or as seed funds to support research activities.

www.hispanicresearchcenter.org

2 3

Reposted by City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS)

Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies @harvard-jchs.bsky.social · Aug 11

A new high of over 12.4 million older households are cost burdened, and cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in the recent reconciliation bill will mean diminished support for the most vulnerable households, writes @jenmolinsky.bsky.social.

www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/one-thr...

One in Three Older Households Is Cost Burdened

The recently released State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 report highlights worrying trends in housing affordability for older households (those led

www.jchs.harvard.edu

4 2