By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project
When Jake Wilson became mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts, he stepped into office at a moment when many mid-sized American cities were confronting the same pressures: rising housing costs, rapid development, and growing expectations for local government. For Wilson, the challenge is not simply managing growth—it is ensuring that the city evolves without losing the people and culture that define it.
From Community Organizing to City Hall
Mayor Wilson began his career in the nonprofit sector, focusing on community-oriented work. But the political climate following the 2016 presidential election reshaped his view of local government’s importance. Cities, he believed, were becoming critical arenas for policy innovation and community protection.
“At a time when some wanted a change of leadership, I stepped up and ran,” Wilson recalls. “I did go to others first and ask that someone else run. But ultimately none of these folks were willing or able to do so, so I did—and I won.”
A City Popular Enough to Be at Risk
Somerville’s desirability is both its strength and its central challenge. Located just outside Boston, the city has become one of the region’s most sought-after places to live. That demand has fueled development, transit expansion, and a surge in housing prices.
Mayor Wilson campaigned on the belief that Somerville could grow without sacrificing the qualities that make it distinctive. Preventing displacement—economic and cultural—is at the heart of his agenda. Somerville has long been known for its creative community and neighborhood-scale businesses, and Wilson argues that preserving those assets requires more than simply approving new construction.
Housing: The Defining Challenge
Housing affordability sits at the center of Mayor Wilson’s priorities. Like many communities in the Boston metro area, Somerville has seen dramatic increases in housing costs. “We as a city have a goal of 20 percent of our housing being affordable. We are at nine percent,” Wilson says. “That’s why I am pushing up the percentage of new developments to be above 20 percent so we can hit that goal.” He points to tools such as state grants, low-income housing tax credits, the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and tax increment financing as ways to support new affordable units.
Somerville’s status as a welcoming city adds another layer of complexity. Federal immigration enforcement policies have created uncertainty for many residents, and Wilson argues that the intersection of housing pressures and social policy underscores the need for responsive, community-focused local government.
Negotiating Growth with Neighborhoods
One of the most significant recent infrastructure investments in Somerville is the Green Line Extension, which expanded Boston’s light rail system into several city neighborhoods. The project has improved accessibility and reduced reliance on cars, opening new opportunities for transit-oriented development and expanding access to jobs across the region.
But the expansion has also intensified housing demand near transit stops. Nearby neighborhoods have seen rising property values and increased development pressure. Wilson describes the situation as a balancing act: embracing the environmental and mobility benefits of transit investment while mitigating its economic side effects.
To manage development pressures, Somerville relies on neighborhood councils and community engagement processes that give residents a voice early in project planning. Wilson highlights recent debates over a proposed high-rise at Davis Square as an example. Residents, developers, and city officials will negotiate issues such as building scale, affordability commitments, and public amenities through a community benefits agreement.
These conversations can be contentious, but Wilson believes they are essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring that development reflects neighborhood priorities. “Transparency is not just about accountability—it is a tool for improving service delivery and strengthening residents’ confidence in their government.”
A New Model for Housing and Childcare
Among Mayor Wilson’s most ambitious initiatives is a proposed pilot project at a city-owned site in Gilman Square. The plan would combine a new social housing development with an affordable childcare center. By incorporating residents across income levels, the project aims to foster stability while expanding access to affordable units. By controlling land and facility costs, the city hopes to make childcare significantly more affordable. Wilson sees the project as a chance to test a holistic approach to urban policy—linking housing, family support, and community development in a single initiative.
Looking Ahead
Wilson’s immediate priorities are pragmatic: delivering tangible housing projects, strengthening the city’s administrative capacity, and possibly preparing for reelection in a city where mayoral terms have historically been short. The city has just changed its charter from a two-year mayoral term to four.
But his broader vision is clear. Mayor Wilson wants Somerville to remain a place where growth does not erase the community that made the city successful in the first place. If his administration succeeds, Somerville may offer a model for other cities navigating similar pressures—showing that development and community preservation can both happen.
Photo credits: Devon Moos.