As housing prices across the city continue to rise, the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust presented its progress report at last night's City Council meeting, earning guarded approval from city councillors.

The trust is spending millions in its attempt to maintain affordable housing in Cambridge, and though most councillors say it is doing enough, some argue that it--and the city--should funnel more money into affordable housing.

In its CITYHOME Initiative report, the trust said it has spent $20.15 million on affordable housing initiatives since the program began in July 1995. That translates to the preservation or creation of 1,761 affordable housing units, according to City Manager Robert W. Healy.

Cambridge "has done more than its fair share" compared to other cities, Healy said, although "there are never enough resources" for affordable housing.

He added that the 15 percent of affordable housing units citywide are, "as a percentage...extremely large."

The city is continuing its efforts to preserve affordable housing, Healy emphasized.

It will soon buy 17 buildings with 95 units for $13.4 million--$5 million of which will come from the trust--to be converted into additional affordable housing.

Healy and Assistant City Manager for Community Development Beth Rubenstein's presentation included some striking statistics on the rising rents in Cambridge.