Somerville Anti-Displacement Task Force Seeks New Members

The City of Somerville Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF), which was formed to research and recommend policies to prevent residential displacement, has now expanded to advocate for a wider range of the Somerville community, including small business displacement and cultural displacement.  
 
The Task Force is seeking community members with an interest in working on anti-displacement policies to serve in a volunteer capacity on one of the Task Force’s three committees: 

• Residential Displacement Committee (RDC) 
• Small Business Displacement Committee (SBDC) 
• Cultural Displacement Committee (CDC)  

All committees are seeking both committee members and co-chairs. 

Residency in the City of Somerville is not a requirement to serve on the Task Force, though applicants should have a direct connection to Somerville and the committee they are applying for. More information on the specific qualifications encouraged to join each committee can be found below. 
 
Residential Displacement Committee 
The Somerville Residential Displacement Committee will be made up of community members, professionals in anti-displacement, city staff, and city council members, who will work with City staff to research and develop policy and programming recommendations aimed at reducing the rate of displacement of Somerville’s residents over a yearlong period.  
 
The RDC will research and evaluate different options for addressing displacement including but not limited to rent stabilization. The Co-Chair will work with the City staff assigned Co-Chair to manage the agenda and work of the RDC. 
 
Applicants for the Residential Displacement Committee should have professional or lived experience with residential displacement or otherwise have a strong interest in working on issues of anti-displacement in Somerville. Members of the community who are at risk of displacement or have been previously displaced are strongly encouraged to apply.  
 
Examples include but are not limited to:  

• Community members who live in Somerville. 
• Community members who used to live in Somerville and experienced displacement. 
• Community members with professional or volunteer experience focused on serving Somerville residents who are either experiencing or, at risk of experiencing, displacement. 

 
Small Business Displacement Committee 
The Somerville Small Business Displacement Committee members will work with City staff to research and develop policy and programming recommendations aimed at reducing the rate of displacement of Somerville’s small businesses over a yearlong period. . The Co-Chair will work with the City staff assigned Co-Chair to manage the agenda and work of the SBDC. 
 
Applicants for the Small Business Displacement Committee should have professional or lived experience with small business displacement or otherwise have a strong interest in working on issues of anti-displacement in Somerville. Members of the small business community who are at risk of displacement or have been previously displaced are strongly encouraged to apply.  
 
Examples include but are not limited to:   

• Community members who own a small business in Somerville. 
• Community members who used to operate a small business in Somerville and experienced displacement. 
• Community members with professional or volunteer experience focused on serving Somerville small businesses who have experienced or are currently at risk of experiencing displacement. 

 
Cultural Displacement Committee 
The Somerville Cultural Displacement Committee will be made up of creatives and non-profit representatives that have connections to the Somerville community. The committee will be made up of community members, city staff, and a city councilor. 
 
Applicants for the Cultural Displacement Committee should have professional or lived experience with displacement or otherwise have a strong interest in working on issues of anti-displacement in Somerville. Members of the creative community or non-profits who are at risk of displacement or have been previously displaced are strongly encouraged to apply.  
 
Examples include but are not limited to:   

• Community members who work for or own a creative enterprise or operate a non-profit in Somerville. 
• Community members who used to operate a creative enterprise or non-profit in Somerville and experienced displacement. 
• Community members with professional or volunteer experience focused on serving Somerville creative enterprises or non-profits who have experienced, or, are currently at risk of experiencing displacement.

Community members interested in becoming a committee co-chair should also demonstrate proficiency in: 

• Anti-displacement policy 
• Public speaking 
• Board/committee functions 
• Setting agendas 
• Leading meetings 
• Getting consensus   

Duration and Time Commitment  
Members serve a one-year term in a volunteer capacity. Members will meet four times ADTF-wide: May 18, 2023; September 21, 2023; January 18, 2024; and May 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. 
 
In addition to the task-force-wide meetings, the members will meet once monthly as their committee on a Thursday, with time to be set by the group.  
 
Applicants should expect to commit a total of approximately five to seven hours a month, which includes ADTF-wide meetings, monthly committee meetings, and reviewing and drafting documents circulated in connection with each meeting. Co-Chairs can expect to commit an additional two hours a month to administrative duties. 
 
Application Process 
Applications will be accepted until seats are filled. Interested candidates should send a resume and/or letter of interest explaining why they want to be a part of the committee as a member or as a co-chair, along with brief answers to the questions below by e-mail to lquizhpe@somervillema.gov or by mail to Luis Quizhpe, City of Somerville, OSPCD Admin, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville MA 02143. Please contact Luis at the email or address above or call 311 to obtain assistance in applying by telephone. 

1. What is your understanding of Somerville’s displacement crisis? 
2. Why is it important for you to participate in this task force? 
3. Please explain which of the eligibility criteria above you meet and how? 
4. Do you have any additional experiences that you think will add a new perspective to the Task Force?  
5. In your opinion, what are one to two things that would allow residents/small businesses/creatives/nonprofits (please select based on which committee you are interested in joining) to remain in Somerville? 
    

The City of Somerville does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities free of charge, upon request. 

Image	Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
Image	Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request (at least 7 days advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.