(October 25, 2024) The recent Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association’s (CHAPA) Regional Meeting brought together stakeholders from across the Cape and Islands to discuss the ongoing housing crisis and the collective efforts needed to address it. Key themes included the region’s progress in developing affordable housing, the impact of recent legislative actions, and the challenges that continue to hinder further growth. Communities across the Cape have seen positive developments, but many still face significant barriers, especially in creating long-term, sustainable solutions.

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Issues such as the high cost of construction, limited funding for projects, NIMBYism, rising property insurance premiums in Massachusetts, and the shortage of affordable rental units were cited across the Commonwealth. The insights gathered at the event will be used by CHAPA to inform their legislative priorities directly.

Overall, the tone was positive, with several towns reporting important strides in affordable housing. For instance, Dennis is progressing toward a 4.9% affordable housing goal, supported by its Affordable Housing Bylaw, which encourages developments to convert existing units into affordable housing (“Dennis Affordable Housing Resources”). In Yarmouth, housing expansion is linked to the Route 28 wastewater infrastructure project, demonstrating how environmental improvements can directly support residential growth (“Yarmouth Housing and Wastewater Information”). Conversely, Wellfleet faces a bottleneck in affordable housing efforts, relying heavily on volunteers and limited staff, which has slowed the progress of key initiatives (“Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust”).

The Affordable Homes Act was viewed as a promising opportunity to bolster housing efforts, but gaps remain. Participants discussed the need for more funding, faster regulatory processes, and increased staffing to support implementation. There was also concern about how to ensure middle-income earners benefit from these affordable housing programs, as they are often left out of traditional affordable housing models. The Office of Fair Housing and the Fair Housing Trust Fund offer hope for addressing racial disparities in housing lotteries and promoting more diverse participation in housing opportunities.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) were another hot topic, with growing interest in them as a potential solution to the housing shortage. While allowing ADUs by right is progress, challenges remain in how to fund them. If public funding is provided to homeowners, either through grants or loans, what would be the community benefit? How can we implement covenants that ensure year-round use without restricting resale options, thereby preserving the property’s long-term value and keeping loan or grant benefits attractive to homeowners?

Some towns expressed concerns about the environmental impacts, particularly with wastewater management and alternative septic systems. While some communities are actively exploring new technologies to address these challenges, there is still a long way to go in balancing progress with protecting the fragile environment.

The session wrapped up with a call for collaboration across the Cape and Islands. Towns like Falmouth and Provincetown are leading by example with innovative solutions for affordable housing. In Falmouth, the Affordable Housing Fund supports initiatives to purchase market-rate homes and resell them with deed restrictions to ensure affordability over time. This program, established by the Falmouth Board of Selectmen in 2011, has enabled the town to assist projects aimed at converting or preserving properties as affordable housing (“Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund”). Provincetown has similarly implemented inclusionary zoning bylaws and hosted community housing roundtables to foster open dialogue on housing needs (“Affordable Housing Fund Overview“).

By working together and sharing resources, Cape communities can create a more unified and effective approach to affordable housing, breaking down silos and overcoming regional challenges.

Works Cited:

“Dennis Affordable Housing Resources.” Town of Dennis, MA, www.town.dennis.ma.us/300/Housing. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

“Yarmouth Housing and Wastewater Information.” Town of Yarmouth, MA, www.yarmouth.ma.us/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

“Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust.” Town of Wellfleet, MA, www.wellfleet-ma.gov/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund. Town of Falmouth, MA, www.falmouthma.gov/940/Affordable-Housing-Fund-Falmouth. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

“Affordable Housing Fund Overview.” Falmouth, MA Document Center, www.falmouthma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13168/FAHF-Description-2022. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.