Six-week workshop aimed at giving municipal leaders the tools and resources to boost development of affordable housing in their communities
The Community Development Partnership (CDP) is inviting municipal leaders on the Lower and Outer Cape to take part in the Cape Housing Institute, which will kick off on Wednesday, October 3.
Last year’s Institute, followed by a housing advocacy training program, saw a marked increase in housing initiatives being brought forth in the spring’s Town meetings. In all, over $4.9 million was earmarked for affordable housing related initiatives in the eight Lower Cape towns.
Now in its second year, the Cape Housing Institute is a collaborative effort between the CDP and HAC (Housing Assistance Corporation) to provide municipal officials throughout the Cape with the support, tools, and resources to boost affordable housing development in their individual communities. Last fall, a total of 140 people attended the institute in its inaugural year.
“The Housing Institute was terrific and I can already see the impact it is having in Brewster” said Town Housing Coordinator Jill Scalise. “We had over a dozen people attend and it’s helped to create a shared vocabulary and fuel momentum for addressing housing issues. I look forward this fall’s Housing Institute…and to working with the CDP to create housing, build community and make a difference here on the Lower Cape.”
The institute will take place over the course of six weeks and will cover a host of topics including: Cape Cod housing needs and your town’s data story; an overview of Chapter 40B; planning and community engagement; financing affordable housing projects; affordable housing development; and fair housing and advocacy.
At the end of the six weeks, wrap-up sessions will be held in each town that will allow municipal officials to discuss how they can use what they learned in the institute to develop a plan of action that allows them to move forward with their community’s housing goals.
The Cape Housing Institute is offered in each of the four sub-regions to make it convenient for municipal officials to attend. CDP is organizing weekly sessions every Wednesday from October 3rd – November 7th as follows:
- Lower Cape Housing Institute: Wednesdays, 1pm – 3:30pm, Harwich Cultural Center, 204 Sisson Rd, Harwich, MA 02645
- Outer Cape Housing Institute: Wednesdays, 6pm – 8:30pm, Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Rd, Eastham, MA 02642
Mid and Upper Cape sessions are offered by HAC. The sessions are free and open to elected and appointed officials throughout Cape Cod and the Islands as well as town housing and planning staff.
In order to attend the institute, participants must pre-register. Those on the Lower and Outer Cape should register on the CDP’s website at www.capecdp.org. Those on the Upper and Mid-Cape can do so at www.capehousinginstitute.org. Priority deadline for registration is Wednesday, September 19.
Those who attend all six sessions will receive a certificate of completion.
The Cape Housing Institute has been made possible thanks to the following sponsors: The Cape Cod Foundation, Cape & Islands United Way, Wells Fargo, the Kelley Foundation, John and Alison Ferring and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The CDP also received Community Preservation Committee funds from the towns of Provincetown, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, Brewster, Harwich and Chatham to support this year’s Cape Housing Institute.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
The Community Development Partnership supports an array of programs that strengthen our Lower Cape community, providing greater opportunities for all who live here to thrive.
Our work starts with creating affordable homes—so essential to a healthy economy, but a real challenge in communities like ours where seasonal and vacation dynamics drive the market beyond the reach of many who live and work locally all year round.
We also work to launch entrepreneurs and strengthen local businesses. We believe a vibrant future depends on sustaining traditional industries and inspiring new ones—especially when they’re based on renewable natural resources such as fishing, farming, art and hospitality.
In all that we do, we aim to protect the natural environment around us—preserving the character and sustaining the future of this special place we call home.
To find out more information about this organization, go to www.capecdp.org.
