Vernon K. Walker
He/Him
- Currently
- Program Director at non-profit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather
- Election history
- 1st time running
He/Him
Reverend Vernon Walker has worked for the non-profit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (or CREW). He has also organized for the Massachusetts Nursing Association and Voter Choice Massachusetts, and is a Democrat State Committee Member.
Vernon first moved to Cambridge in 2020, and now lives in an inclusionary unit (a below-market unit in an otherwise market-rate building, required as part of Cambridge's policy for larger buildings). He says that is what has allowed him to stay in Cambridge.
He writes that he was motivated to run this year out of concern over the impacts of extreme weather in Cambridge, the lack of affordable housing units available, and the lack of equitable representation of renters on the Council.
In general, Vernon wants to allow or require more subsidized, affordable housing in Cambridge, and is skeptical of market-rate housing. He also supports and proposes various tenant protections.
I would also support the city expanding the Inclusionary Housing requirement for the new market rate developments to reserve 30% floor area for affordable housing units instead of the 20% that it currently has in place.
I agree more using should be built in the city, I question how effective it would be just to build more market rate housing as the market rate housing prices are increasing becoming more higher.
I support looking at all strategies that would look at adding affordable housing units to the city. I do think the strategy could include looking at how the social housing model bill that Rep. Mike Connolly put forward in the State House could help with the housing crisis in Cambridge.
I would have to see more deviance to suggest that market rate housing will make Cambridge affordable.
It is a great thing that Boston is looking at capping the rent increase. I was fortunate not to have my rent go up less then 10% when I lived in Portor Square but if the rent would have gone up by 10% it would have become a cost burden for me. Because of the high cost of living in Cambridge I think the cap on rent should be lower then what Boston has at 10%.
| Organization | Cambridge? | Union? | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Residents Alliance | on Sept. 30, 2023 | ||
| Massachusetts Sierra Club | this cycle | ||
| Cambridge Bicycle Safety | on Sept. 23, 2023 | ||
| Our Revolution Cambridge | on Sept. 17, 2023 | ||
| SEIU Local 509 | this cycle | ||
| Greater Boston Labor Council | this cycle | ||
| UAW Region 9A (includes Harvard Grad Student Union) | this cycle |
Housing policy, development, governance questions
Housing policy, development, governance questions
Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge
Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge
General. Note: only distributed in downloadable word or pdf documents.
General. Note: only distributed in downloadable word or pdf documents.
They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."
They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."
"questions about the issues that most impact Cambridge’s low-income populations" (available in several languages)
"questions about the issues that most impact Cambridge’s low-income populations" (available in several languages)
One issue that I want to achieve in the next City Council term is a policy order that helps prepare residents for extreme weather that impacts Cambridge. I want to advocate for a policy order that would require one of the city departments to provide educational material to residents on how to prepare for flooding, heatwaves, extreme cold, etc. Part of policy order would require the city CDD to reach out to community-based organizations and hospitals to jointly work together to conduct climate resiliency educational workshops throughout the city. We need more climate adaptation policies that are designed to help prepare and protect people from extreme weather.
What City Council decision were you most disappointed in the last Council term?
That the City Council did not pass an ordinance to allow a ballot question to be placed on the ballot this November for Cambridge voters to vote on if the Police Review and advisory board should be elected.
“We’re looking at building green storm water infrastructure,” Walker said. “We’re looking at reducing impervious cover. We’re looking at land conservation and increasing the tree canopy. And all these are potential opportunities for flood water storage.”
And for when those floods eventually do hit, Climate CREW is prepared to give community members “to-go” emergency bags with items like flashlights, can openers and waterproof matches.
July 14, 2023 — Craig LeMoult, Casey Choung“We’re looking at building green storm water infrastructure,” Walker said. “We’re looking at reducing impervious cover. We’re looking at land conservation and increasing the tree canopy. And all these are potential opportunities for flood water storage.”
And for when those floods eventually do hit, Climate CREW is prepared to give community members “to-go” emergency bags with items like flashlights, can openers and waterproof matches.
Zondervan also mentioned challenger Vernon Walker, who is a program director at the organization Communities Responding to Extreme Weather.
July 9, 2023 — Marc LevyZondervan also mentioned challenger Vernon Walker, who is a program director at the organization Communities Responding to Extreme Weather.
Reverend Vernon K. Walker, an official at the non-profit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather and a screening committee member, told The Crimson in April that he will be looking for city manager candidates who prioritize supporting marginalized groups.
“It’s important to have that voice at the table representing communities that are disproportionately affected by extreme weather and the climate crisis,” Walker said.
May 9, 2022 — Elias J. SchisgallReverend Vernon K. Walker, an official at the non-profit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather and a screening committee member, told The Crimson in April that he will be looking for city manager candidates who prioritize supporting marginalized groups.
“It’s important to have that voice at the table representing communities that are disproportionately affected by extreme weather and the climate crisis,” Walker said.
Reverend Vernon K. Walker, an official at the non-profit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather and a screening committee member, told The Crimson in April that he will be looking for city manager candidates who prioritize supporting marginalized groups.
“It’s important to have that voice at the table representing communities that are disproportionately affected by extreme weather and the climate crisis,” Walker said.
May 9, 2022 — Elias J. SchisgallReverend Vernon K. Walker, an official at the non-profit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather and a screening committee member, told The Crimson in April that he will be looking for city manager candidates who prioritize supporting marginalized groups.
“It’s important to have that voice at the table representing communities that are disproportionately affected by extreme weather and the climate crisis,” Walker said.