Somerville Community

What Somerville Community does

Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation founded in 1969 and headquartered at 337 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, Massachusetts. It operates a membership-based, community-led model delivering three integrated program lines: Real Estate Development (affordable rental and ownership preservation, including Metro 9 Lofts artist housing, the 100 Homes Program, and the upcoming Bow Linden and Clarendon Hill Phase II projects), Economic Opportunity (First Source Jobs Program, First-Time Homebuyers classes, Financial Literacy, ESOL, and Digital Literacy), and Community Building (organizing around affordable housing policy and equitable development).

The organization serves low- and moderate-income Somerville residents facing displacement from rising rents, job seekers with barriers to employment (including non-English speakers and entry-level workers), residents seeking financial stability, certified artists, and local employers. Since 2009, SCC has constructed 100 affordable units and currently serves over 350 residents annually through asset-building programs; upcoming projects will add 276+ affordable homes plus 80 moderate-income units.

SCC's revenue mix combines government and foundation grants (LISC, state Affordable Housing Development awards), tax-deductible donations through the Massachusetts Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program offering 50% state tax credits on gifts of $1,000+, rental income from owned affordable housing units priced at 50-80% of Area Median Income, and voluntary membership dues. Operations are delivered through a small 11-50 person staff in person, online, and via employer partnerships, with no proprietary technology products.

Name

Somerville Community

Legal name

Somerville Community Corporation

Website

https://somervillecdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Somerville Community Corporation is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation founded in 1969 that preserves and develops affordable housing, delivers workforce and financial literacy programs, and organizes residents in Somerville, MA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH), Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Workforce development services
• Community development corporation
• Financial literacy education
• Nonprofit community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue source from government and foundation grants including LISC grants and state Affordable Housing Development grants.
2. Donations (CITC Program): Tax-deductible donations through the Community Investment Tax Credit program, which provides 50% tax refund to donors contributing at least $1,000.
3. Rental Income: Revenue from affordable housing units owned and managed by SCC including Metro 9 artist housing and other residential properties.
4. Membership Dues: Voluntary membership program supporting the organization; financial support is welcome but not required.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Somerville Community Corporation develops and preserves affordable rental and ownership housing in Somerville, MA, and delivers direct-service programs including the First Source Jobs workforce program, First-Time Homebuyers and Financial Literacy classes, Digital Literacy and ESOL classes, the 100 Homes tenant stability program, and affordable artist housing at Metro 9 Lofts. The organization operates as a membership-based nonprofit CDC funded by grants, donations, and rental income, and runs community organizing efforts around housing affordability and displacement.

Product overview

Somerville Community Corporation is a membership-based non-profit organization that offers a portfolio of community development programs centered around three core areas: Real Estate Development, Economic Opportunity, and Community Building. The organization operates multiple service programs including the First Source Jobs Program for workforce development, First-Time Homebuyers and Financial Literacy classes for asset building, Digital Literacy and ESOL classes for education, and manages affordable housing through programs like 100 Homes and Metro 9 Lofts. These programs work together to provide equitable access to safe and affordable housing, promote financial independence, and create opportunities for community leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First Source Jobs Program: Workforce development program connecting job seekers with employment opportunities
• 100 Homes Program
• Metro 9 Lofts
• Women's Empowerment Program
• Leadership Development Institute
• Social Equity Campaign Through CITC

Products and services

• Real Estate Development Develops and preserves affordable rental and ownership units and commercial space in Somerville to maintain and strengthen the socioeconomic diversity of the city. Includes projects such as Bow Linden (60 all-affordable homes) and Clarendon Hill Reconstruction Phase II.
• First Source Jobs Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ people served annually through asset building programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Clarendon Hill Reconstruction Phase II - will upgrade 216 affordable homes and add 80 moderate-income units plus 295 market-rate units. This is a major redevelopment partnership addressing critical housing needs in Somerville.
• Somerville Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners for artist certification required for Metro 9 affordable artist housing program. The Arts Council certifies artists eligible for affordable live/work spaces.
• Harvard Graduate School of DesignminorOthersHarvard GSD posts employment opportunities through SCC's First Source Jobs Program, providing job opportunities for community members and graduate students.
• Massachusetts State Lottery CommissionminorOthersMSLC posts various positions (warehouse, marketing, technical roles) through SCC's First Source Jobs Program, connecting employers with local job seekers.
• Enterprise Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Davis Square Architects and Enterprise Community Partners on Union Square East Community Vision project for neighborhood planning.
• City of Somerville / Mayor Katjana BallantynecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership for affordable housing development, with Mayor Ballantyne championing SCC's initiatives including Bow Linden Project and Clarendon Hill Reconstruction.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH): National nonprofit affordable housing developer and direct co-development partner with SCC on Clarendon Hill Phase II; comparable mission of preserving and operating affordable rental housing at scale.
• Asian Community Development Corporation: Greater Boston CDC combining affordable housing development with small business, workforce, and community services — directly comparable mission and integrated service model.
• The Community Builders: Boston-based national nonprofit affordable housing developer providing resident services across mixed-income communities — comparable scale and integrated housing-plus-services model.
• Urban Edge Housing Corporation: Boston-based CDC developing and managing affordable rental housing while providing resident services, workforce, and community organizing programs — same integrated housing-plus-services CDC model.
• Madison Park Development Corporation: Roxbury, MA CDC focused on affordable housing development, workforce, and community building in Greater Boston — comparable geographic scope, mission, and integrated program portfolio.
• Just A Start Corporation: Cambridge, MA-based community development corporation offering affordable housing development, workforce training, financial literacy, and youth education — directly comparable integrated model in a neighboring Greater Boston city.
• Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation: Dorchester, MA CDC combining affordable housing development, small business support, and workforce programs — strong structural analog to SCC's community-led development approach.
• B'nai B'rith Housing: New England-based nonprofit affordable housing developer and service provider managing rental properties for low-income residents — direct analog in housing preservation and resident services.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and partner with SCC on Union Square East Community Vision; comparable mission but operates at national scale across development, capital, and policy.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI that awarded SCC its 2024 $75K grant; comparable in mission (community development, affordable housing, economic opportunity) but operates at national scale as a capital intermediary rather than a single-city CDC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SCC_Somerville
• Facebookfacebook.com/SomervilleCommunityCorporation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/somerville-community-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/somervillecommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Somerville Community