Cambridge Council Adopts Amended Housing Study Order, Cuba Vote Delayed

CAMBRIDGE — May 4, 2026 — Cambridge City Council adopts housing needs study order 9-0, delays Cuba embargo resolution. The council Monday approved a charter-righted policy order directing the city manager to explore commissioning an independent housing needs study, after unanimously adopting two amendments: one by Councillor E. Denise Simmons barring the study from being used to delay permitting or construction of any housing under existing zoning, and one by Councillor Burhan Al-Zubi requiring the Community Development Department to first report on the pros and cons of a study and identify data gaps CDD does not already hold. A separate resolution calling on President Trump to rescind Executive Order 14380 and end the U.S. oil embargo on Cuba — filed by Councillors Sabrina Paige Wheeler, McGovern, and Al-Zubi — was continued to the next meeting after Vice Mayor Azim exercised his charter right, following a failed motion to refer the item to the Government Operations Committee; both Azim and Simmons announced they would vote present on the underlying resolution. The council also voted 9-0 to refer a $44,000-per-year OpenArchitect student data platform surveillance report to the Public Safety Committee for a May 20 hearing, with Councillor Nolan raising the question of whether the pilot had already begun without required council pre-approval under the city's surveillance ordinance.