Harvard Planning and Real Estate (HPRE) has proposed a new rent schedule for approximately 2,300 Harvard-Affiliated Housing apartments open to graduate students and University affiliates. In keeping with University policy, rents have been set at prevailing market rates. The overall market increase for all present affiliated properties will be 4.2 percent. These proposed rents, which have been reviewed by the Faculty Advisory Committee on Affiliated Housing, would take effect July 1, when the 1998-99 rental season begins.

"There will continue to be new opportunities for University affiliates (students, faculty, and staff) to live in affiliated housing since we are anticipating an increase in the supply of available apartments to affiliates," said Susan Keller, HPRE's director of residential real estate. "These apartments will be offered to affiliates for both one- and two-year lease periods at the market rates listed below. The buildings where additional opportunities will be available are located in the Agassiz, mid-Cambridge, Riverside, and Harvard Square neighborhoods."

The rent levels for residents who are not on affiliated leases but reside in Harvard's formerly rent-controlled properties will be announced in the spring.

Harvard Planning and Real Estate performed market research before proposing this yearÕs rent increase. In setting the proposed 1998-99 rents, an extensive database, covering more than 5,000 Cambridge and Somerville apartments listed with the Harvard Housing Office by non-Harvard property owners, was analyzed. Market indicators from outside sources such as the Rental Housing Association (RHA) and historical demand trends in the local market were also considered.

Proposed Rent Increase for Continuing Affiliated Residents (Not Formerly Rent Control) Is Set At 3 Percent

To protect continuing residents from the full impact of rent escalation, HPRE will cap their rent increase at 3 percent. Rent for current affiliated housing residents (not formerly rent control) who renew their leases will either increase to the new market rent (ranges listed below), or 3 percent, whichever is less. For example, this year the proposed average rent at Holden Green for a one-bedroom apartment with a current market price of $742 will increase 5.5 percent to $783. If you live in a one-bedroom apartment at Holden Green and your current rent is below market at $727, your new 1998-99 rent will increase 3 percent to $749. In this case, a 3 percent increase is still less than the new market rent of $783 that would be charged to a new resident.

Specific rents for all 2,300 apartments will be detailed in the lease renewal packages that will be distributed to all affiliated residents in March. For additional information or help in determining your continuing rent rate for 1998-99, you may call Harvard Planning and Real EstateÕs Affiliated Leasing Office at 495-1459.

Proposed rent increases for formerly rent control, protected residents currently in HPRE's Protection Program who continue to meet specific criteria regarding income, age, disability, etc. will be 3 percent. Proposed rent increases for continuing, formerly rent control, nonprotected residents are yet to be determined and will be announced by mail in March.

Proposed 1998-99 Rents for New Affiliated Residents

The proposed average rent ranges and percentage adjustments listed below are for new affiliated residents who will sign leases for the 1998-99 rental season. Because rents for apartments with the same number of bedrooms within the same complex can differ, depending on amenities, the actual percentage increases may vary. Therefore, the rent ranges and percentages listed below are averages.

18 Banks/8A Mt. Auburn Ñ one bedrooms: $1,021-$1,155, average increase 4% to 5%; two bedrooms: $1,297-$1,431, average increase 1% to 3%.

Beckwith Circle Ñ This complex will be closed for repair until January 1999. Rent rates are yet to be determined.

Botanic Gardens Ñ one bedrooms: $978-$1,064, average increase 2% to 5%; two bedrooms: $1,224-$1,453, average increase 2% to 3%; three bedrooms: $1,754-$1,781, average increase 1% to 2%.

DeWolfe Street Ñ one bedrooms: $1,177-$1,204, average decrease 0% to 2%; two bedrooms: $1,483-$1,527, average increase 2% to 3%; three bedroom: $2,065, increase 3%.

29 Garden Street Ñ studios: $687, average increase 7%; one bedrooms: $888-$988, average increase 2% to 4%; two bedrooms: $1,095, average increase 7%.

Haskins Hall Ñ studios: $800, average increase 10%; one bedrooms: $965, average increase 9%; two bedrooms: $1,139, average increase 8%; three bedroom: $1,299, average increase 7%.

Holden Green Ñ one bedrooms: $783-$983, average increase 1% to 6%; two bedrooms: $1,017-$1,227, average increase 2%; three bedrooms: $1,428, average increase 6%.

Kirkland Court Ñ one bedrooms: $924-$1,114, average increase 6% to 7 %; two bedrooms: $1,219-$1,492, average increase 7% to 8%; three bedrooms: $1,392-$1,856, average increase 1% to 7%.

65 Mt. Auburn Street Ñ studios: $838, average increase 5%; one bedrooms: $993, average increase 2%; two bedrooms: $1,353, average increase 5%.

Peabody Terrace Ñ studios: $720-$762, average increase 6% to 7%; one bedrooms: $863-$900, average increase 3% to 4%; two bedrooms: $1,079-$1,174, average increase 6% to 7%; three bedrooms: $1,440-$1,514, average increase 1% to 5%.

Shaler Lane Ñ one bedrooms: $969, average increase 3%; two bedrooms: $1,238-$1,345, average increase 1%.

Soldiers Field Park Ñ studios $885-$931, average increase 3% to 4%; one bedrooms: $1,094-$1,123, average increase 6%; two bedrooms: $1,405-$1,658, average increase 0% to 3%; three bedrooms: $1,872-$1,991, average increase 5% to 6%.

Terry Terrace Ñ studios: $803, average increase 12%; one bedrooms: $970, average increase 8%; two bedrooms: $1,200, average increase 9%.

Walker Street Ñ two bedrooms: $1,362, average increase 9%; three bedroom: $1,622, increase 6%.

The proposed average rent ranges and percentage adjustments listed below are in buildings that were formerly rent-controlled. These rents are for new residents who will sign affiliated leases for the 1998-99 rental season.

472-474 Broadway Ñ studios: $577, average increase 5%; one bedrooms: $970, average increase 2%; two bedroom: $1,014, average increase 3%.

27 Everett Street Ñ one bedrooms: $959-$1,103, average increase 0% to 1%; three bedrooms: $1,822, average increase 12%.

2 Holyoke Street Ñ one bedrooms: $980, average increase 6%.

1306 Massachusetts Avenue Ñ studios: $837, average increase 6% to 7%; one bedrooms: $987, average increase 4%; two bedrooms: $1,335, average increase 6%.

8 Plympton Street Ñ studios: $747-$776, average increase 1% to 3%; one bedrooms: $980, average increase 3%; two bedrooms: $1,335, average increase 4%; three bedrooms: $1,521-$1,672, no increase.

16 Prescott Street Ñ studios: $735, average increase 3%.

18 Prescott Street Ñ studios: $735, average increase 3%; one bedrooms: $867, average increase 3%.

20-20A Prescott Street Ñ studios: $735, average increase 5%; one bedrooms: $905-$992, average increase 1% to 5%; two bedrooms: $1,354, average increase 4%; three bedrooms: $1,222-$1,780, average increase 2% to 14%.

22-24 Prescott Street Ñ studios: $735, average increase 1% to 3%; one bedrooms: $875, average increase 2%.

85-95 Prescott Street Ñ studios: $771-$824, average increase 1% to 3%; one bedrooms: $983, average increase 1%.

9-13A Ware Street Ñ studios: $774, average increase 4%; one bedrooms: $935, average increase 6%; two bedrooms: $1,106-$1,229, average increase 1% to 9%; three bedrooms: $1,208, average increase 1%.

19 Ware Street Ñ two bedroom: $1,750, increase 1%.

Wood Frame Buildings, Agassiz Area Ñ studios $786, average increase 1%; one bedrooms: $1,001, average increase 2%; two bedrooms: $1,245, average increase 3%; three bedrooms: $1,552, average increase 9%; five bedrooms: $2,357, average increase 10%.

Wood Frame Buildings, Harvard Square Area Ñ three bedrooms: $1,465, average increase 5%.

Wood Frame Buildings, Harvard Square/Mid-Cambridge Area Ñ studios: $710, average increase 2%; one bedrooms: $860, average increase 1%.

Wood Frame Buildings, Riverside Area Ñ studios $675, no increase; one bedrooms: $812, average increase 1%; two bedrooms: $1,067, average increase 3%; three bedrooms: $1,318, average increase 12%.

Written comments on the proposed rents may be sent to the Faculty Advisory Committee on Affiliated Housing, c/o Harvard Planning and Real Estate, 8 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138-6037. Any written comments should be submitted to the above address by Thursday, Feb. 12.

The comments received will be reviewed by the Faculty Advisory Committee, which includes David Cutler, John L. Loeb Professor of Social Sciences, Department of Economics, Harvard University; William Hogan, Thornton Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy and Management, Kennedy School of Government; Steven Shavell, Professor of Law and Economics, Harvard Law School; and Sally Zeckhauser, Vice President for Administration (Chair), Harvard University.

After the comments are reviewed and considered, the final rent schedule will be published in February.