Community Preservation Act 2025 Survey

CPA Survey 2026
How would you improve Somerville? The Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides money that the City can use for open space and outdoor recreation facilities, historic preservation, and affordable housing. The amount of CPA funding is approximately $7M per year.

A committee of Somerville residents decides how to spend this money. Your input will help the Community Preservation Committee understand what the community needs.
First, we are trying to gauge public awareness of how Somerville’s CPA funds are being put to work.
In the past year, have you visited any of these sites that have been improved with CPA funds? (Please select all that apply)

Milk Row CemeteryProspect Hill ParkBrown SchoolyardCentral Hill PlaygroundHealey Schoolyard and Tot LotVida Real ChurchWest Branch LibrarySouth Street FarmWinter Hill SchoolyardGlen Park Community GardenJunction ParkWest Somerville Neighborhood SchoolyardSomerville MuseumSomerville Community Growing CenterBlessing of the Bay ParkElizabeth Peabody HouseLou Ann David Park (former Powderhouse School)Hoyt Sullivan PlaygroundCommunity PathMorse Kelley Park Pollinator GardenHenry Hansen ParkKen Kelly ParkSomerville Hispanic Association for Community Development / 59 Cross Street
Have you participated in public engagement for design of any of the following parks? (For example, attended a public meeting or submitted comments?) (Please select all that apply)

Art FarmKennedy SchoolyardBlessing of the Bay Park
Have you or someone you know benefitted from any of the following affordable housing projects or programs? (Please select all that apply)

Mystic Waterworks100 Homes InitiativeCascapSomerville Community Land TrustClarendon HillSomerville Community CorporationSomerville Homeless CoalitionCommunity Action Agency of SomervilleRespondJust A Start
Spending Priority
CPA funds can be used to create, expand, improve, or rehabilitate parks, open spaces, and recreational amenities. Are there any specific open space/recreational projects that you would like to see?
CPA funds can be used to preserve historic buildings and artifacts which are valuable to the public, as well as to bring buildings up to modern safety codes and make them handicapped accessible. Historic preservation projects have helped to improve community spaces for civic and cultural uses, childcare, and organizations that provide services to vulnerable residents. Are there any specific historic preservation projects that you would like to see?
The CPC partners with the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund to distribute CPA funds for affordable housing. Please share any comments you have about affordable housing needs:
The City must spend at least 10% in each program area (Open Space/Recreation, Historic Preservation, and Affordable Housing). In recent years, Somerville has spent 50% on affordable housing, about 25% on open space/recreation, and about 25% on historic preservation.How would you distribute funds among the following categories?Please indicate how you would divide funds between the three program areas. The total should equal 100%.
Affordable Housing %*
Open Space and Recreation %*
Historic Preservation %*
Optional Demographic Questions
Your answers to the following questions will help us understand how well the survey responses reflect Somerville’s population.
What is your age?
Does your household include any of the following? (Select all that apply)

Children under 10 years oldChildren 10-17 years oldSeniors over age 65Persons with disabilities or mobility limitationsNone of the aboveI would rather not say
Do you rent or own your home?
Please indicate the category that most closely describes your household income:
What is your race/ethnicity? (Select all that apply)

African American/BlackAmerican Indian/Alaska NativeAsianNative Hawaiian/Pacific IslanderMiddle Eastern or North AfricanWhiteSome other raceHispanic or LatinoPrefer to self-describeI would rather not say.
1. In which Ward do you live?*
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Should be Empty:

CPA Survey 2026

Spending Priority

Optional Demographic Questions