Residents Lobby for Housing Ordinance

In a tumultuous City Council meeting Monday night, about 30 residents lobbied for affordable housing to protect lifelong Cambridge residents.

"We are here to celebrate the sale of 59 Norfolk St. to Just-A-Start," said Bill W. Marcotte, lead housing organizer of the Eviction Free Zone, a vocal affordable housing advocacy group.

Just-A-Start, a non-profit organization which assists low-income Cambridge residents, paid off the $525,000 mortgage held by the building's previous owners and will now receive the tenants' rent checks.

Last week's sale to Just-A-Start was a victory for residents of 59 Norfolk St., who took a previous landlord, Leonard Aronson, to court this summer alleging he had been negligent in the upkeep of the property.

While the tenants of 59 Norfolk St. celebrated good news, the most vocal speakers were residents of 6 Porter St.

The property has suffered from "land flipping," a phenomenon in which a building is repeatedly sold for a quick profit, five times in the last five months.

Bob Simon, a 27-year resident of 6 Porter St., added to the chorus of voices calling on the council to pass a resolution urging landlords to "show moderation and restraint and consideration for the affordable housing needs of the current tenants and their families."

"What values does this community stand for?" Simon asked.

The affordable housing lobbyists also encouraged the passage of an ordinance that would prevent residents from being forced from apartments that are converted to condominiums.

Marcotte recounted some of the abuses the Porter Street tenants have suffered.

"These tenants have to deal with verbal threats of eviction," Marcotte said.

Marcotte also attacked the repeated selling of the buildings over the last few months.

"This flipping of buildings is the most outstanding instance of a housing market out of whack," Marcotte said.

Bill Cavellini, also of the Eviction Free Zone, was direct in his remarks, vehemently reminding the council of residents' concerns.

"There's no other important issue than your constituents being evicted," Cavellini said. "Housing should continue to be your top priority."

Cavellini also attacked Cambridge's landlords and their money-minded decisions.

"A landlord does not have to have a good reason or a just cause to evict," he said. "Greed is in control."

Cavellini also inveighed against other issues on the council's agenda as being immaterial if residents are forced to move.

"What good are improvements to the parks, roads and schools when [residents] can't afford to live in Cambridge anymore?" Cavellini asked.

The crowd of Cambridge residents immediately broke into applause after Cavellini's remark, and applauded him again when he ended his speech with a challenge to the council.

"How about it, City Council?" he said.