An Act further defining the purposes of the affordable housing trust in the city of Somerville

This bill expands the official goals of Somerville's Affordable Housing Trust to include funding for social service programs like tenant legal aid, mediation, and homelessness prevention. It also allows the trust to cover start-up costs for new affordable housing projects, even if those services do not directly create or maintain physical housing units. By clarifying these purposes, the legislation enables the city to use trust funds for a broader range of support services that assist residents without requiring an immediate increase in the number of available homes.