Fair Housing Commission locks in two of four April events

Other Committee · Meeting of January 22, 2026

Somerville Fair Housing Commission confirms two April dates as vacancies squeeze its capacity. Chair Dennis said he has asked the incoming mayor to expedite filling two vacant commission seats and to ease open-meeting-law limits on planning work between meetings. The commission, down to three active members after Commissioner Rona's move to the Community Preservation Committee, locked in a Somerville Public Library "Color of Law" discussion for April 16 and a Council on Aging outreach session for April 10, while pushing tabling with Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville to late spring or summer.

New Deputy Director of Housing Alana Gaffney, attending her first meeting, said "I love Somerville. Very invested in Somerville." Staff reported one open complaint involving a Somerville Housing Authority tenant facing a second notice to quit, with a possible disability-accommodation issue over first-floor unit availability. Both agenda votes, approving December's minutes and adjournment, passed unanimously.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of January 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.