Requesting approval to appropriate $77,000 in re-purposed funds in the Racial & Social Justice Stabilization Fund to retain two Rental Assistance Advocate positions for Fiscal Year 2026.

To the Honorable City Council: The Mayor respectfully requests that this Council appropriate $77,000 in re-purposed funds in the Racial & Social Justice Stabilization Fund to retain two Rental Assistance Advocate positions for Fiscal Year 2026. These positions work between 20 and 25 hours per week in the Somerville Office of Housing Stability and assist low-and moderate-income Somerville tenants at risk of displacement with accessing rental assistance and other housing retention services, including eviction prevention and housing search resources, to stabilize them in their homes and/or to enable successful relocation if needed. These positions are currently funded by the ARPA grant but funding expires on June 30, 2025. Appropriate staff will be available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Respectfully Submitted, Katjana Ballantyne, Mayor