This week Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announced the Somerville Office of Housing Stability’s (OHS) new Municipal Voucher Program to support Somerville’s most vulnerable families historically underserved by broader government housing programs.

Under Somerville’s Municipal Voucher program, participating families’ rent and utility costs will be capped at 30% of their income, with the voucher covering remaining rental costs. This applies even if their net household income is zero. The voucher program will cover all remaining rent and the security deposit.

“We know that families in need of housing help are falling through the gaps, and our new voucher program will help Somerville families that need it most secure, stable, local, housing so they can continue to thrive here,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “Our Housing Needs Assessment showed that households with young children and households including persons of color, especially Black and Latino persons, are disproportionately impacted by local affordable housing challenges. I’m happy to share that we have already secured housing for eight participating families, and want to thank everyone from the City and our advocacy partners for the creative problem solving that made this program a reality.”

The program also has built-in incentives for participating landlords, including receiving a month’s rent as an incentive payment, the security deposit, and some funding for property repairs.