Affordable Housing Trust Fund

The Medford Affordable Housing Trust was established by a City Ordinance to create and preserve affordable housing. The Trust aims to create housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families who may not otherwise be able to afford to live in Medford.

CITY HALL STAFF

Katherine Buckingham
Housing Planner
Email: kbuckingham@medford-ma.gov
Phone: 781-475-5991

How to Support the Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Direct gifts of funds can be made to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Trust can also receive bequests of property or money from community members. Donors are encouraged to seek independent legal, estate, and/or tax advice relative to their donations.

Donations are not sought from and should not be made by anyone who is likely to be affected by a pending or anticipated decision of the City or any of its Boards/Committees. All donors will be publicly disclosed under applicable laws.

Five-Year Action Plan and Guidelines (2025-2030)

Members of the Medford Affordable Housing Trust Fund (MAHTF) Board prepared this Action Plan to guide their activities over the next five years. The Board first evaluated socio-economic data to develop an assessment of housing needs and then gathered input from stakeholders and the public. The Board then developed goals and priorities based on an understanding of the context and the city’s needs and opportunities.

link to the action plan

The Mission

Goals

Promote a welcoming, diverse, intergenerational, and inclusive city with a mix of housing choices that offer diverse options to residents with varying needs and preferences.
Use financial and property resources to address local housing needs and meet production goals established in the housing production plan, and to preserve the affordability of existing affordable homes.
Foster safe, well-designed, accessible, and sustainable housing. Integrate affordable and diverse housing options throughout the city.
Expand local capacity to implement housing initiatives by building partnerships with mission-driven organizations and developers seeking to build affordable housing.
Increase communication about housing resources across the community.

Priority Actions

Build a relationship with Medford’s Community Preservation Committee.
Build affordable housing in partnership with mission-driven organizations and developers seeking to build affordable housing as well as Medford Housing Authority.
Preserve and convert existing housing to long-term affordability.
Support existing homeowners and first-time homebuyers.
Fund housing stability programs.
Prioritize funding for units affordable to households with lower incomes.
Advocate for affordable housing development and policies that maximize the resources available to meet the city’s housing needs:
- Explore and act upon funding opportunities for the Trust
- Work with developers to build support and navigate approval process
- Work with partner organizations to establish programs that meet local needs
- Support initiatives to expand tenant protections and stabilize existing tenancies
- Provide guidance on affordable housing projects funded through CPA program

For additional background information, please see the presentation from the July 30, 2025 community meeting here.

Action Plan Presentation to City Council

Apply for Funding

If you are interested in receiving support from the Trust, please reach out to kbuckingham@medford-ma.gov

Members

The Trust is comprised of a seven-member board that includes the Mayor and six Medford residents with backgrounds in affordable housing policy, law, finance, design, and advocacy.

2-year term, 7 members

Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Medford City Hall, Room 202

Lisa Anne Davidson, Chair, term expires 7/1/2028 – $1,000 stipend

Penelope Taylor, Vice Chair, term expires 7/1/2027 – $1,000 stipend

Kayla Lessin, Treasurer, term expires 7/1/2028 – $1,000 stipend

Kerri Weaver, term expires 7/1/2027 – $1,000 stipend

Teda Marie DeRosa, term expires 7/1/2027 – $1,000 stipend

Meghan Kelly, term expires 7/1/2028 – $1,000 stipend

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