History, Mission and Overview

We are building a foundation of equity through community building and empowerment, economic mobility, and affordable housing in Somerville and beyond.

True economic opportunity and social justice require long-term commitment and sustained investment to transform communities shaped by exclusion into communities defined by equity and possibility. At SCC, that is the work we do every day.

We help our neighbors access living-wage jobs, build financial stability, and secure safe, affordable homes—whether as residents of our housing or as first-time homebuyers. At the same time, we invest in the tools people need to thrive in today’s economy. Through our Digital Equity program and Computer Lab, we equip community members with critical technology skills and access; through our First Source Jobs program, we connect residents to meaningful employment; and through our Women’s Empowerment program, we support women in building confidence, leadership, and pathways back into the workforce.

Our approach works because it is rooted in common sense and care. People need a strong foundation—a home and a job—to succeed and achieve lasting stability. Each year, we serve over 600 individuals, helping them reach or move closer to this critical bedrock.

Over the years, SCC has:

• Built or preserved more than 450 affordable homes

• Placed over 1000 job seekers into good jobs

• Helped hundreds of residents achieve financial stability through financial literacy and first-time homebuyer programs

• Helped approximately 25 families become homeowners each year, including former Section 8 voucher holders

• Educated over 300 people each year in critical computer skill and digital literacy

• Acquired 117 permanently affordable homes through our 100 Homes and 49 More Homes Programs

• Advanced the redevelopment of Clarendon Hill, one of Somerville’s largest affordable housing communities

Our approach is holistic. We understand that housing, income, education, and access to technology are deeply interconnected. SCC’s work advances a comprehensive vision for community investment—one that addresses affordable housing, workforce development, digital inclusion, and financial capability as essential, reinforcing pillars. We take an abolitionist stance on poverty, grounded in the belief that a stable home and a living-wage job are the foundation upon which all else is built. Through housing, economic opportunity, and community building, we are working toward a more just and equitable city.

Founded in 1969 as a multi-service center supporting low-income Somerville residents, SCC launched Somerville’s first soup kitchen, Project Soup, and provided critical advocacy to prevent housing crises. In the decades since, we have led community-driven planning efforts, from the East Somerville Initiative to the Community Corridor Planning process, and organized alongside residents to win transformative policies like the Union Square Community Benefits Agreement.

We have continued to innovate in response to the city’s changing needs. Our First Source Jobs program, launched in 2014, has become a regional model for workforce development. Our 100 Homes Program, launched in 2016 in partnership with the City of Somerville, has preserved and created permanently affordable housing by taking properties off the speculative market.

Today, SCC impacts thousands of residents each year through our integrated approach to housing, economic opportunity, and community engagement. As Somerville continues to change, we remain grounded in our mission: to build a foundation of equity so that all residents—especially those most at risk of displacement—can live, work, and thrive here.

Building on our fifty years of history, today we envision a Somerville where:

• families and individuals from many different backgrounds and cultures enjoy equitable access to secure housing, economic stability, and opportunities for leadership and active engagement
• community change is embraced in a way that people of limited means, education or familiarity with the local economy share in the benefits of growth and development, no longer threatened by escalating living costs or the inability to keep or find a nearby job
• the planned expansion of the MBTA Green Line offers great opportunity and potential for jobs for Somerville residents as new development comes to our community
• low and moderate-income residents and those who have recently come from other countries and cultures, are included in the process of planning for and being involved in a more inclusive, equitable future for the City.

Our vision extends to a city where community change is embraced, ensuring that individuals with limited means, education, or familiarity with the local economy actively partake in the benefits of growth and development, and where lower-income residents and those who have recently arrived from different countries and cultures, are integral to the process of planning and creating a more inclusive and equitable future for Somerville. SCC strives for a community where the threat of rising living costs and the challenge of securing or retaining nearby jobs no longer hinder the aspirations of its residents, fostering a city that thrives on shared prosperity and participation.