Somerville, Mass., Ord. ch. 7 art. III § 7-46
Fair housing commission
Operative Text
(a) There shall be in the city a commission known as the Somerville Fair Housing Commission hereinafter called the "commission," which shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council , to serve without compensation. (b) The members of the commission shall serve a term of three years; provided, however, that of the members first appointed to the commission two shall be appointed to a term of one year, two shall be appointed to a term of two years, and one shall be appointed for a term of three years. Thereafter the mayor shall appoint each successor to a term of three years. In the event of the death or resignation of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired period of the term for which such member has been appointed. (c) At least three members of the fair housing commission shall live in the city and the remaining members shall either live or work in the city at the time of their appointment and throughout their tenure. The members of the commission shall include persons who have experience or a demonstrated interest in housing, social services, or civil rights. One commissioner shall be a representative from the administration of the housing authority. One commissioner shall be a Somerville tenant who, at the time of his or her appointment, is eligible on the basis of income for assisted housing in the city. (d) The mayor shall annually appoint a chairperson of the commission with the advice of the commission. Three members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business. (Code 1963, § 17-6; Ord. No. 2018-13 , 9-13-2018 )
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-46 establishes the Somerville Fair Housing Commission as a five-member body appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, with members serving staggered three-year terms without pay. The commission is designed to include people with backgrounds in housing, social services, or civil rights, and must include at least one representative from the housing authority and one income-eligible Somerville tenant. At least three members must reside in the city, and a quorum of three is required to conduct official business.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-46, the Somerville Fair Housing Commission is the local body that oversees fair housing matters in the city. Property owners and managers operating in Somerville generally stay informed about the commission's composition and activities, as the body includes tenant advocates, housing authority representatives, and civil rights-experienced members. Awareness of the commission's structure helps operators understand the local institutional landscape around fair housing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-46 establishes a commission that is specifically designed to include a Somerville tenant who is income-eligible for assisted housing, ensuring that tenant perspectives are represented at the commission level. Tenants who believe their fair housing rights have been affected may find it useful to learn about the commission's role and how it engages with housing concerns in the city. Tenant-rights organizations and the commission itself can be starting points for understanding what avenues exist for raising fair housing issues under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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