Louise Venden

Quick Facts

Current Position: Challenger
Candidate Status: Write-In
Website: https://www.louisevendenwritein.org/
Committee Registration: OCPF ID 19354
Cambridge.vote: louise-venden

From the Candidate

Common sense solutions for challenges and obstacles to meeting housing goals, protecting and
strengthening social safety net programs, and making our government accountable for results.
Current leadership has passed zoning changes, transportation upgrades, and expanded human
services, but how well have they worked?

Lifetime public service as Legislative Staff, Two term Provincetown Select Board member, Finance
Committee and Housing Trust leader, Community volunteer. Gained approval for 65 unit property as
largest public private partnership in Provincetown opening doors for other collaborations.

Developed and operated a 9 room Inn on Beacon Hill, redeveloped 6 small buildings with 28
modestly priced rentals or condo units. MBA in Real Estate finance and spent 10 years restructuring
and selling distressed commercial properties for large banks.
Accountability in government requires going beyond voting for progressive policies and programs
and must require measures showing how well government does in meeting the goals of building
affordable housing, children served in universal PreK, transportation and public safety
improvements.

“You’re either a part of the solution, or your part of the problem” Aiming toward effective
solutions informs my efforts to collaborate, answer questions and gain acceptance for policies and
programs that set specific targets and goals.

Affordable Housing Overlay zoning adopted in 2020 is essential to overcoming obstacles for
building more affordable housing. Offering opportunities for denser housing projects is necessary in
this land locked City. There are AHO 14 projects currently in the pipeline, 1 approved and completed,
4 with AHO approval and under construction, 2 AHO approved not under construction and 7 in the
AHO process. Five years later with 62 units completed, we need to find out what’s stalling
these promising projects and offer City assistance.

MFH has created unintended consequences in only a few months costing the City half a million
dollars part of an undisclosed settlement agreement. Cambridge enjoys neighborhoods with unique
histories and character, so scale and design standards must be reconsidered to balance needs and
concerns.

Build Bridges, not Battle lines. Political debate provides voters with information on community
problems and needs and proposed solutions. Organized groups here too often express their
disagreements in hostile, exaggerated rhetoric. These tactics mimic national politics that shut down
effective government.

Balancing Finances as federal and state funds drop will require thoughtfully prioritizing needs and
allocating resources to meeting housing goals and helping the neediest residents.

This bio along with the headshot were provided by the candidate.