Cambridge Launches Multifamily Housing Liaison, Resources to Help Residents Understand Zoning Changes

Marlees West Owayda, Cambridge’s community engagement manager, was appointed on Monday to serve as the newly-established Multifamily Housing Liaison — part of a citywide effort to more clearly communicate the status of developments under the multifamily zoning process.

Last February, the Cambridge City Council voted to end single-family zoning, allowing for the construction of four- to six-story multifamily homes across the city. Since then, the City Council has received an influx of resident questions regarding zoning and permitting, which Owayda’s role is meant to address.

“Zoning is not something that most people have a ton of experience with, so this is an opportunity to really help the community get access to information,” Owayda said.

Owayda’s role comes alongside a broader push from the city council to address Cambridge’s housing crisis. The city is currently behind on its goal to build 12,500 new housing units by 2030. According to Deputy Chief of Planning Jennifer R. Caira, post-pandemic inflation and fiscal constraints have slowed the city’s rate of housing development.

Caira says the city is especially focused on providing housing for all income levels through initiatives like the Social Housing Task Force and the Affordable Housing Trust.

“We’re looking at the housing crisis from all angles, and looking for anything we can do to increase housing access and affordability,” Caira said.

Nearly 7,000 Cambridge residents have signed a petition calling for amendments to the city’s multifamily housing ordinance, and for a pause on market-rate development permits, which the petition’s authors say are “demolishing more-affordable units and displacing renters.”

At the same time, the Council has weighed lowering its inclusionary housing requirement to ease pressure on developers. Currently, larger developments are required to set aside 20 percent of their floor area for affordable units.

Owayda will spend three months fielding questions from residents on the housing development process that would otherwise be directed to staff conducting permit reviews. After three months, the city plans to re-evaluate its need for the role.

Alongside announcing Owayda’s position, the city also launched a Housing Development Dashboard where residents can view a map of ongoing or recently completed developments across the city, and a Neighbors’ Guide to Housing Development, which Owayda describes as the first source of information for residents seeking information on the development process.

“My hope is really for this approach to be for all — regardless of your feeling, or lack of feeling, or lack of understanding about the policy itself,” Owayda said. “Everyone deserves to understand what’s happening in their community.”

Owayda, who grew up in Cambridge, began working part-time for the city in 2013 as a youth social worker for middle schoolers through the Gately Youth Center. She has served as the city’s Community Engagement Manager since 2022.

Owayda says her work has always focused on marginalized populations, who have historically been excluded from conversations on residential development. She says she aims to present technical information on development in an accessible manner so residents can better understand the city resources at their disposal.

“The term giving back, that doesn’t come to my mind. To me, it’s an act of love. I love Cambridge, so getting to be of service is part of how I show that,” Owayda said.