Candidate Name:Nicola Williams
What ideas do you have to address the top tier needs identified in the Cambridge Community Needs Assessment (Affordable Housing and Homelessness, Financial Security, Mental Health: Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse)?
It is time that candidates acknowledge what the residents of Cambridge have known for quite some time: we are facing twin crises of unaffordability and displacement, which exacerbate other issues such as homelessness. The reality of the rich and a Cambridge of the working poor hurts me deeply. I believe in a Cambridge for all its residents, regardless of their income or documented status. That's why as city councilor I will work to end displacement by pushing for tenant protections like rent stabilization policies, right of 1st refusal, right to counsel, and just cause evictions. But there's another issue at play, which is that our city doesn't have a housing plan other than allowing corporations to build, build, build.
This housing crisis is not ours alone and cannot be solved alone. As a city councillor, I will work with other municipalities to explore a comprehensive and regional approach to housing and transportation that is affordable and environmentally sustainable for all. By doing this, we can support pedestrian and cyclist safety, reduce road congestion, fight climate change, and create pathways to economic empowerment through our housing priorities.
I love the beauty and diversity of Cambridge. That's why knowing that its unaffordability has displaced 17% of the African-American community in the last decade is so painful. Cambridge needs an economy built on environmental, racial, and economic justice. We can create the jobs of the future combating climate change. We can end the racial disparities in our businesses and close the racial wealth gap. As a city councillor, I will create an Office of Economic Empowerment to uplift our residents as they transition economically, developing pathways to home ownership, and supporting entrepreneurship. I will also advocate for bold policies like universal pre-K and expanding senior services to economically empower families to keep them in Cambridge.
It is time that candidates acknowledge what the residents of Cambridge have known for quite some time: we are facing twin crises of unaffordability and displacement, which exacerbate other issues such as homelessness. The reality of the rich and a Cambridge of the working poor hurts me deeply. I believe in a Cambridge for all its residents, regardless of their income or documented status. That's why as city councilor I will work to end displacement by pushing for tenant protections like rent stabilization policies, right of 1st refusal, right to counsel, and just cause evictions. But there's another issue at play, which is that our city doesn't have a housing plan other than allowing corporations to build, build, build.
This housing crisis is not ours alone and cannot be solved alone. As a city councillor, I will work with other municipalities to explore a comprehensive and regional approach to housing and transportation that is affordable and environmentally sustainable for all. By doing this, we can support pedestrian and cyclist safety, reduce road congestion, fight climate change, and create pathways to economic empowerment through our housing priorities.
I love the beauty and diversity of Cambridge. That's why knowing that its unaffordability has displaced 17% of the African-American community in the last decade is so painful. Cambridge needs an economy built on environmental, racial, and economic justice. We can create the jobs of the future combating climate change. We can end the racial disparities in our businesses and close the racial wealth gap. As a city councillor, I will create an Office of Economic Empowerment to uplift our residents as they transition economically, developing pathways to home ownership, and supporting entrepreneurship. I will also advocate for bold policies like universal pre-K and expanding senior services to economically empower families to keep them in Cambridge.
Do you support the 100% Affordable Housing Overlay as it is currently written as a means to meet the need for affordable housing? Why or why not? How else would you address Cambridge's current affordable housing crisis?
I did not support the Overlay as it was written. The process by which the City put forward this proposal was mishandled, divisive, and not at all transparent. I believe the Overlay, or the Unaffordable Housing Overlay as some have called it, did not do nearly enough to provide affordable housing or to allow residents to control the destiny of their neighborhoods; there were no mechanisms for stopping in the proposal if the flood of developer money that would be opened up was negatively impacting the community. When a plan hardly does anything to address the needs of the almost 20,000 people waiting for housing in Cambridge or address the issue of homelessness while being this extraordinarily divisive within the community something is wrong.
Although I opposed the Overlay, I do support affordable housing and addressing issues of affordability. As I have stated above, the problem of unaffordable housing is not unique to Cambridge and must be solved in a holistic manner that addresses the fact that, for example, our buildings are our greatest source of pollution and that, by thinking of housing in conjunction with transportation, we can serve the community environmentally and economically. That's why, as a city councillor, I will work with other municipalities to explore a comprehensive and regional approach to housing and transportation that is affordable and environmentally sustainable for all. By doing this, we can push for net zero emission buildings, reduce road congestion and traffic, and increase pedestrian and cyclist safety. Furthermore, by working together regionally, we will be in a better position to pressure the state around the key proposals that can end displacement.
After rent control ended decades ago, I organized my neighbors so that we could buy our building. It saved me from displacement. 25 years later and Cambridge has done nothing on tenant protections. By working on a regional level, we can more easily demand rent stabilization policies that incentivizes homeowners to provide below market rents, right of first refusal for tenants to purchase their home, right to tenant counsel which drastically reduces evictions, and just cause evictions.
I did not support the Overlay as it was written. The process by which the City put forward this proposal was mishandled, divisive, and not at all transparent. I believe the Overlay, or the Unaffordable Housing Overlay as some have called it, did not do nearly enough to provide affordable housing or to allow residents to control the destiny of their neighborhoods; there were no mechanisms for stopping in the proposal if the flood of developer money that would be opened up was negatively impacting the community. When a plan hardly does anything to address the needs of the almost 20,000 people waiting for housing in Cambridge or address the issue of homelessness while being this extraordinarily divisive within the community something is wrong.
Although I opposed the Overlay, I do support affordable housing and addressing issues of affordability. As I have stated above, the problem of unaffordable housing is not unique to Cambridge and must be solved in a holistic manner that addresses the fact that, for example, our buildings are our greatest source of pollution and that, by thinking of housing in conjunction with transportation, we can serve the community environmentally and economically. That's why, as a city councillor, I will work with other municipalities to explore a comprehensive and regional approach to housing and transportation that is affordable and environmentally sustainable for all. By doing this, we can push for net zero emission buildings, reduce road congestion and traffic, and increase pedestrian and cyclist safety. Furthermore, by working together regionally, we will be in a better position to pressure the state around the key proposals that can end displacement.
After rent control ended decades ago, I organized my neighbors so that we could buy our building. It saved me from displacement. 25 years later and Cambridge has done nothing on tenant protections. By working on a regional level, we can more easily demand rent stabilization policies that incentivizes homeowners to provide below market rents, right of first refusal for tenants to purchase their home, right to tenant counsel which drastically reduces evictions, and just cause evictions.
The nonprofit sector in Cambridge makes major contributions to both the local economy and services for residents. In order for the sector to create the lasting change it seeks to achieve, systemic challenges, such as a lack of understanding of what the nonprofit sector does and the value it brings to communities, and chronic under funding that limits the capacity to deliver services and invest in talent and technology, all while responding to increasing needs, must be addressed. What ideas do you have to ensure a vibrant and healthy nonprofit sector in our City?
Years ago, I helped organize the effort to stop the sale of Nonprofit Row because I recognized that nonprofits are vital to services for our most vulnerable residents. It is clear that there needs to be more collaboration with the City and the nonprofit sector. This collaboration could take many forms, but I think will require the city to work to engage the community more robustly in the work of nonprofits across the city and to do outreach on behalf of nonprofits looking for necessary funding. There should be a protocol in place for these sort of requests. As I will expand upon later, as a city councillor, I will work to create an interdepartmental Office of Economic Empowerment that will work to uplift residents and local entrepreneurship. Through working with this Office, we can connect local businesses and start-ups with nonprofits so that both can grow together.
Years ago, I helped organize the effort to stop the sale of Nonprofit Row because I recognized that nonprofits are vital to services for our most vulnerable residents. It is clear that there needs to be more collaboration with the City and the nonprofit sector. This collaboration could take many forms, but I think will require the city to work to engage the community more robustly in the work of nonprofits across the city and to do outreach on behalf of nonprofits looking for necessary funding. There should be a protocol in place for these sort of requests. As I will expand upon later, as a city councillor, I will work to create an interdepartmental Office of Economic Empowerment that will work to uplift residents and local entrepreneurship. Through working with this Office, we can connect local businesses and start-ups with nonprofits so that both can grow together.
Recent research out of Boston University has shown that residents who participate in local government are most likely white, older, wealthy and male. How would you increase access to local government decision making power and ultimately civic engagement, by Cambridge low income communities and communities of color?
As a woman of color and immigrant, this question strikes a cord with me. It goes to the heart of my campaign, which is premised on a platform that puts community first ahead of corporate interests. We have a democracy problem in city hall, which impacts our community in a number of ways including what proposals are advanced, to how the residents are involved in the process, to how candidates fund their campaigns. We need to have city councillors who aren't beholden to corporates interests, especially those like developers who have business in front of the city, which is why I refuse to take money from corporate PACs, unions, or special interest groups. We need publicly financed campaigns in Cambridge that make the people's interest the only ones city councillors care about.
We also have an issue in the way that residents are involved in the process of city planning. I don't see outreach from the city as they try to figure out our growth plans. Low income communities and people of color are not approached and asked how they want to see the city grow or change. And when proposals come up that do allow public comment they're already fully baked. As a city councillor, I would have residents play a more robust role in shaping policy by reaching out to stakeholders in the community to actually ask them what they want before we draft bills.
As a woman of color and immigrant, this question strikes a cord with me. It goes to the heart of my campaign, which is premised on a platform that puts community first ahead of corporate interests. We have a democracy problem in city hall, which impacts our community in a number of ways including what proposals are advanced, to how the residents are involved in the process, to how candidates fund their campaigns. We need to have city councillors who aren't beholden to corporates interests, especially those like developers who have business in front of the city, which is why I refuse to take money from corporate PACs, unions, or special interest groups. We need publicly financed campaigns in Cambridge that make the people's interest the only ones city councillors care about.
We also have an issue in the way that residents are involved in the process of city planning. I don't see outreach from the city as they try to figure out our growth plans. Low income communities and people of color are not approached and asked how they want to see the city grow or change. And when proposals come up that do allow public comment they're already fully baked. As a city councillor, I would have residents play a more robust role in shaping policy by reaching out to stakeholders in the community to actually ask them what they want before we draft bills.
While Cambridge benefits from a uniquely robust social service network that includes both nonprofit and City providers, it can be difficult for residents to navigate and for leaders to maximize the available resources. What ideas do you have for better coordination of services between the City of Cambridge and nonprofit organizations? What role do you believe nonprofits should play in strengthening the Cambridge community?
Nonprofits are key pillars of our community and are best suited to provide knowledge of community needs. I know this because I have been serving on nonprofits boards for 30 years. Currently I serve on four Cambridge based non-profit boards: Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts, Community Art Center, Harvard Square Neighborhood Association and Cambridge Carnival International, Inc. I appreciate and understand the challenges for nonprofits in coordinating with the City. I see them as an opportunity. One of my ideas is to create a new interdepartmental office of Economic Empowerment with the goal of uplifting our community, especially in areas of equity, job development and housing. Under the direction of this department I think it would be very valuablet o host quarterly meetings with Cambridge nonprofits organizations with help from the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition in order to measure quality of life issues facing residents.
Nonprofits are key pillars of our community and are best suited to provide knowledge of community needs. I know this because I have been serving on nonprofits boards for 30 years. Currently I serve on four Cambridge based non-profit boards: Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts, Community Art Center, Harvard Square Neighborhood Association and Cambridge Carnival International, Inc. I appreciate and understand the challenges for nonprofits in coordinating with the City. I see them as an opportunity. One of my ideas is to create a new interdepartmental office of Economic Empowerment with the goal of uplifting our community, especially in areas of equity, job development and housing. Under the direction of this department I think it would be very valuablet o host quarterly meetings with Cambridge nonprofits organizations with help from the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition in order to measure quality of life issues facing residents.
What steps would you take to make Cambridge more inclusive and welcoming of recently arrived immigrant residents, especially those living in mixed-status households?
As a Jamaican immigrant, I feel it is incredibly important that we have a Cambridge for all residents regardless of their income or documented status. I take pride in our more than 30 years as a sanctuary city and am deeply concerned about the president's threat to take money away from those who'd protect their residents from deportation. I believe that there are a number of ways we can be more inclusive from dealing with our housing crisis so that people can afford to live here, ensuring that our local police are not contacting ICE, and even making sure that city hall meetings are translated in real time so that residents who don't speak English as a first language have the capacity to contribute to the place that they call home.
As a Jamaican immigrant, I feel it is incredibly important that we have a Cambridge for all residents regardless of their income or documented status. I take pride in our more than 30 years as a sanctuary city and am deeply concerned about the president's threat to take money away from those who'd protect their residents from deportation. I believe that there are a number of ways we can be more inclusive from dealing with our housing crisis so that people can afford to live here, ensuring that our local police are not contacting ICE, and even making sure that city hall meetings are translated in real time so that residents who don't speak English as a first language have the capacity to contribute to the place that they call home.
Give a specific example of a policy approach to addressing institutional racism in Cambridge.
Thank you for giving candidates an opportunity to address the crucial need for racial justice in our policy. As the organizer of the Cambridge Carnival for the past 27 years, I know how important celebrating the diverse cultures in Cambridge is to many of our residents. As a community, Cambridge prides itself on its progressive and inclusive nature. But we must question how inclusive our community is when 17% of the African-American community locally has been displaced in the last decade. We have to bring back the Cambridge Carnival! We have to question how inclusive we are when, as a city with almost 30% of residents born in different countries, there currently aren't translation services for city council meetings for major languages available. It is clear that there are hurdles that people of color and immigrants are facing in our community that must be abolished. As a city councillor, I would work to address the language needs of immigrants and ensure that our police are treating us as the sanctuary city we are by not contacting ICE, which disproportionately deports people of color. We also need to work to provide health services to those undocumented people who are so fearful of the current federal administration that they are not seeing doctors, which creates problems for them personally and for all of us.
But a broader issue that arises as we try to rid our city of racial injustice is that we have a lack of data around how racism exists locally. We know, for example, that in the Greater Boston area African-American families have a median wealth of $8 to the $275,000 that white families have. We do not know, however, how many businesses in Cambridge are owned by Black people. One of the main reasons I am excited to propose the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) is because it will be a hub of disparity studies so that we can have a body that looks into the disparities in ownership that contributes to the racial wealth gap. More than studying the issue, the OEE will be tasked with proposing solutions. As a city, we need to recognize that racial justice requires economic justice. That's why I'm in favor of supporting local, Black-owned cannabis entrepreneurs who are currently pushing city council to allow them to compete fairly with corporate entities from outside Cambridge in the cannabis industry. Those who've been the targets on the War on Drugs should be the first to benefit from our societal evolution on the issue.
If we've learned anything from The Sunrise Movement, it is that racial justice, environmental justice, and economic justice can all work together in our holistic view of policy. That's why I'm advocating for a Cambridge Green New Deal that will address both our economic, environmental, and racial justice needs. That's the lens I will bring to the city council.
But a broader issue that arises as we try to rid our city of racial injustice is that we have a lack of data around how racism exists locally. We know, for example, that in the Greater Boston area African-American families have a median wealth of $8 to the $275,000 that white families have. We do not know, however, how many businesses in Cambridge are owned by Black people. One of the main reasons I am excited to propose the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) is because it will be a hub of disparity studies so that we can have a body that looks into the disparities in ownership that contributes to the racial wealth gap. More than studying the issue, the OEE will be tasked with proposing solutions. As a city, we need to recognize that racial justice requires economic justice. That's why I'm in favor of supporting local, Black-owned cannabis entrepreneurs who are currently pushing city council to allow them to compete fairly with corporate entities from outside Cambridge in the cannabis industry. Those who've been the targets on the War on Drugs should be the first to benefit from our societal evolution on the issue.
If we've learned anything from The Sunrise Movement, it is that racial justice, environmental justice, and economic justice can all work together in our holistic view of policy. That's why I'm advocating for a Cambridge Green New Deal that will address both our economic, environmental, and racial justice needs. That's the lens I will bring to the city council.
