Join the City of Boston's Community Preservation Committee

Update: The application deadline has been extended to March 31, 2023.

Apply to be on Boston’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC)

The Community Preservation Act (CPA), a ballot question passed by Boston voters in November 2016, brings over $20 million to the City annually. Funding must be used for projects in three areas: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/outdoor recreation facilities.

The Boston City Council seeks four Boston residents to serve on the Community Preservation Committee.

aBOUT THE Community Preservation Act (CPA)

The Community Preservation Act has made the following possible:

• Preservation of over 90 historical buildings, sites, vessels, and artifacts
• Planting of over 250 trees to help with Boston’s tree canopy
• Rehabilitation and creation of over 60 playgrounds and recreational spaces
• Creation of urban farms and community gardens 
• Creation of nearly 1300 units of affordable housing, this includes homeownership units
• Support for housing projects for veterans, seniors, artists, and homeless individuals  
• Funding over $20 million to two programs that support first-time homeownership and prevent displacement  

To date, the Community Preservation Program has funded 237 projects and has awarded over $117 million in funding. We have supported 36 affordable housing projects, 93 open space and recreation projects, and 108 historic preservation projects from 2018-2022.

In 2022, the Community Preservation Committee approved the New Community Preservation Plan. This plan will help guide the City of Boston's allocation of CPA funds for fiscal years 2023 through 2027. The plan highlights the committee's new goals and evaluation criteria, as well as relevant statistics on the program's first four funding rounds in FY2018 - FY2021.  Read more here: FY2023-FY2027 Community Preservation Plan.

aBOUT THE Community Preservation Committee (CPC)

The Community Preservation Committee is a 9-member board that recommends projects to the Mayor and the City Council for CPA funds.

By state law the Committee (CPC) includes appointments from the Boston Landmarks Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Boston Housing Authority, and the Boston Planning and Development Agency board.

In addition, Boston’s CPA Ordinance creates four at-large seats open to community members to serve on the CPC. CPC members serve as unpaid volunteers for a term of three years with a maximum of two terms. All CPC members must be Boston residents.

What to Expect:

The Committee’s annual work includes:

• Approving an administrative budget for the City’s Community Preservation program.
• Reviewing the Community Preservation Plan annually.
• Reviewing over 50 project applications and making final recommendations.

The Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in Sections 5(b) and 5(c) of the CPA statute.

If you have a passion for at least one of the three program areas – historic preservation, open space/outdoor recreation, and affordable housing – you may want to apply!

Here’s more information to help you decide:

Start-up (3-6 months): More intensive time commitment with bi-weekly meetings at the outset to:

• Participate in trainings by Community Preservation Coalition and City staff on proposal review.

• Establish CPC systems: set meeting and funding cycle calendar
• Update and review the FY23 - FY27 Community Preservation Plan.

Ongoing expectations: Approximately 5 hours each month

• In person or virtual: monthly or twice-monthly meeting at a time convenient for all members, held near a T-accessible neighborhood or downtown site. All meetings will be open to the public.
• On your own: review all application materials prior to meetings.
• Participation in annual Community Preservation public hearing(s).

Project review: Could involve a more intensive meeting schedule

• Input from City staff on each project from relevant departments.
• 10-14 meetings from September to January to prepare for new funding round and evaluate CPA applications.
• Projects and funding recommendations will be sent to the Mayor and City Council for final approval.

CPC Annual Project Timeline:

To learn more about this process, please review the CPA Eligibility Determination Packet and explore the CPA webpage.

Want to apply?

If interested in applying to be a member of the Community Preservation Committee, please apply on the application portal below. Do not apply through the Boards and Commissions page. 

Cpc application

If you have any questions, contact the Boston City Council's Committee on Community Preservation Act's Team Lead, Christine O'Donnell, at 617-635-1185 or by emailing christine.odonnell@boston.gov. The deadline to submit your application is Friday, March 31, 2023.