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CAPE COD COMMISSION RELEASES DRAFT REGIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY

The Cape Cod Commission (Commission) has released the draft Regional Housing Strategy. The Regional Housing Strategy is a bold plan that sets out strategies and recommendations to address housing supply, affordability, and availability issues facing the region. Successful implementation of the Regional Housing Strategy will provide residents with safe and attainable housing and a more reliable workforce and customer base for our local businesses.

The Strategy is grounded in data, research, and input provided by numerous stakeholders with a wide range of perspectives and expertise. Commission staff and stakeholders learned from one another and from examples and practitioners across the country to identify strategies and recommendations for the Cape.

With the data and information necessary to target key short- and long-term actions to improve housing availability and affordability, the Regional Housing Strategy outlines a path forward for improving access to a more diverse supply of affordable and attainable housing consistent with the built character of Cape Cod.

It includes key regional recommendations, identifies local zoning opportunities to better facilitate development and redevelopment of housing, and empowers local and regional stakeholders to take action to sustain and enhance Cape Cod’s year-round community.

Several existing and forthcoming resources will support implementation of the Regional Housing Strategy. These include model bylaws for mixed-use development, seasonal workforce housing, and form-based code lite for multi-family housing development, among others. Communities can tailor the model bylaws to suit their needs and circumstances. Towns may also utilize design guidelines for multi-family housing and retrofit considerations. The housing profiles and Data Cape Cod will continue to provide demographic, economic, 2 and housing data, and a decision support tool (under development) will provide actors with information and resources for better understanding the impacts of different housing development types in their communities. View the Regional Housing Strategy by visiting www.capecodcommission.org/housing Comments on the draft should be sent to housing@capecodcommission.org and will be accepted through February 16, 2024.

DENNIS HOUSING AUTHORITY – RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The high cost of housing on Cape Cod is a challenge for many local residents. The Town of Dennis now has a program to help year-round renters with their housing costs.

The Dennis Housing Authority, in partnership with the Homeless Prevention Council, has instituted a rental assistance program to provide income eligible renters with up to $350 per month to offset rental payments. A distinct benefit of the program is access to professional guidance and consultation with a goal of establishing financial stability and housing security.

A goal of the Dennis Housing Production Plan is to “address the severe rent burdens faced by many Dennis households” and “preserve existing year-round housing”. The Dennis Housing Authority hopes that this rental assistance program will be one way in which Dennis can begin to reach this goal.

Interested renters can learn more about the program through the DHA website https://www.dennishousing.org/

or by contacting the Homeless Prevention Council at: 508-255-9667

or visit https://www.hpccapecod.org/rental-assistance

Next Meeting Dates of the Dennis Select Board

The Dennis Select Board will meet on February 27, 2024 for regularly scheduled business. Upcoming meeting dates of the Select Board can be found on the Town of Dennis website here.

All are welcome to attend and participate in our open and public meetings. The agenda for each meeting is posted 48 business hours prior to the scheduled meeting time and can be accessed through the Select Board’s webpage or the Town calendar webpage.

Attend in-person at the Town Hall, Stone Meeting Room. Or for alternative public access join the meeting online via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7660036712 or participate by phone by dialing 1-646-558-8656 and entering Conference ID 766 003 6712 #.