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CARE Housing

Citizens for Affordable, Responsible, and Equal Housing


Protecting the environment and building development
can co-exist with responsible planning and zoning. 
 

Mission Statement

CARE Housing is a grassroots organization in Cambridge, MA. Our goal is to support programming and legislation for affordable, responsible, and equal housing while protecting the environment and Cambridge's unique and diverse neighborhoods.

Read our open letter to the community. 

We are currently focused on ensuring the city passes zoning to protect buildings with solar panels and/or hot water solar heating, as the new zoning (Feb 2025) does not include any protections for solar.

Review analysis of the impact on development if solar is protected via zoning

Read how the burden on developers has already been removed via Opt-in Specialized Code

Sign the petition to protect solar.

CARE Housing does not provide financial support to any candidates. We do not collect or raise funds for any candidates' campaigns.

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Cambridge has the opportunity to be a national leader in solar protection and housing, but we aren’t there yet.

 

The new zoning law allows for 4 stories throughout all of Cambridge, 6 stories if 20% is affordable housing, and 9 stories for 100% affordable housing (lot size must be 5,000 square feet or more - 25% of the lots in Cambridge are larger than 5,000 square feet). New buildings only need to have 5-foot side and rear setbacks. All buildings are "as of right" meaning abutters cannot dispute. 

 

There are currently no protections for solar owners if new construction casts shadows on your panels or solar hot water heating system.

 

CAREHousing is working with the city to get solar zoning protections, but WE NEED YOUR VOICE.

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ACT NOW- email city council with your thoughts and or attend public comment.

 

Please consider signing up for updates and find out how to have your concerns heard.

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Join Our Email List

Thanks for submitting! 

You can alternatively email us at:

CAREHousingCambridge@gmail.com

More Information

Cost of losing Solar Energy due to Shadows
DOWNLOAD
Tips for Registering Public Comments at Cambridge City Hall Ordinance Meeting
DOWNLOAD
Protecting Solar via Zoning - Other Cities
DOWNLOAD

Liz Byron

Liz Byron has lived in Cambridge since 2011. She is a visual art, special education, and ESL Boston Public School teacher, as well as an education consultant, author, and artist. Liz has two young children, and while living in Cambridge, has been a foster parent and offered a room in her home to Hospitality Homes. She loves the diversity and resources of Cambridge and is committed to preserving the environment and responsible and affordable housing.

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Peter Hsu

Peter Hsu is a practicing physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and has lived in Cambridge for 5+ years. Dr. Hsu was born in Taiwan and came to the States at 12. Besides training in internal medicine, pediatrics, and pediatric hematology/oncology, Dr. Hsu also holds an MS degree in biology and an MPH degree focusing on health policy. Dr. Hsu ran for the Cambridge City Council and, although he did not win, he remains committed to Cambridge. Housing affordability, climate justice, safe streets, and helping the most vulnerable populations in Cambridge (addressing homelessness, substance use, and mental health crises) are some of the public health issues near and dear to Dr. Hsu's heart. Dr. Hsu is extremely excited to join and grow with CARE!

Carlos Loya

Carlos Loya, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and biotech entrepreneur based in Cambridge, MA. Having lived in Cambridge for over 15 years as both a proud renter and homeowner, he is thrilled to raise two children in this iconic city. Growing up in Juarez, Mexico, Dr. Loya is passionate about housing access and safety due to direct family experiences with housing instability. Dr. Loya was part of the founding teams of multiple local biotech companies from inception to commercialization, and contributed to several medicines that have made it to market approval. He holds a Ph.D. from the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard Medical School. 

Sara Nelson

Sara Nelson has lived in Cambridgeport for over 20 years.  She lives near River Street with her husband and two teenage children.  She and her family can often be spotted walking the family dog along the Charles River and around Cambridgeport, Riverside, and Central Square.  Her children have attended the Cambridge YMCA preschool, MLK School, and currently attend CRLS.  Sara was actively involved as a parent volunteer at all her children’s schools.  She has also been a Girl Scout Leader for 8 years.  Sara works as a pediatrician in Chelsea and the South End.

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