Housing Development OverviewOur Impact on Affordable Housing DevelopmentThe Community Development Partnership has developed or assisted in the development of 70 units of affordable housing throughout the 8 towns of the Lower Cape. We have served in the lead development role for 41 units of affordable housing, and have served in a supporting role for 29 units. Our development experience includes the rehabilitation of existing properties and new construction, as well as the creation of both rental and homeownership units. We secure development opportunities by working with local municipalities and housing authorities, through competitive bid processes, through relationships with private land and property owners, partnerships with other developers and development team members, and through the private market. We have supported municipalities and other developers in their efforts to create affordable housing by serving in a variety of ancillary roles, including grant applicant, consultant, project manager or administrator, and by conducting feasibility studies. The CDP is currently serving as the lead developer for the new construction of over 59 additional units of housing, currently in the pre-development stage. How the Process WorksWe secure affordable housing development opportunities in a variety of ways. These include working with local municipalities and housing authorities, participating in competitive bid processes, building relationships with private land and property owners, partnering with other developers and development team members, and through the private market. Once a development opportunity is identified, it becomes critical to secure the necessary funding. The Community Development Partnership’s funding partners include the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Services, the MA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) HOME Program and Housing Development Support Program, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), MassHousing, the Barnstable County HOME Consortium, the Cape Light Compact, local Community Preservation Act funds, private banking institutions, and private local donors. Upon completion of a development project, the CDP either continues to own and manage the housing, relinquishes the management to another entity (such as a local housing authority), or sells the housing to low and moderate-income residents. Who Can Take Advantage of Affordable HousingOur primary goal for housing development is to increase the availability of attractive, quality affordable housing units for low to moderate income families from Harwich to Provincetown. Most housing opportunities are made available to households earning under 80% of the area median income, with income levels lower than that defined by a particular project’s funding source. Purchase prices and rents for affordable units fall within specific guidelines, and generally aim to cost no more than 30% of the target household’s income. Success Story: Brawnwyn Jackett & Family, Affordable Housing Tenant, Old Firehouse Rd., Truro
Three weeks before they were scheduled to leave the Cape, they heard about the Community Development Partnership’s lottery for an affordable rental home on Old Firehouse Rd. in Truro. “We thought we would apply, and if it was meant to be it would be.” Four families applied and Jackett & McKean were one of two families who qualified for the unit. “The lottery drawing was so nerve wracking. I lit a candle that morning and said a prayer to my grandmother,” said Jackett. “When our name was picked I thought to myself, ‘Is this real?’.” With stable housing at an affordable price, Jackett and McKean were able to focus their energies on building a future for their family. “The affordable rental home gave us security and reduced the fear. It also allowed us to get on our feet and put money aside to buy our own home. We knew from the beginning that we weren’t going to stay in the rental home. We wanted to own our own home.” Three years later they’ve closed on their own home in North Truro. McKean was also able to leave his job with a local builder and fulfill a lifelong dream of going into business on his own – founding Sundance Builders in 2007. “Now it’s time for another family to get the same affordable housing opportunity,” said Jackett. “When we moved into the Old Firehouse Rd. rental it really felt like home. We had the freedom to plant in the yard, put up a swing set, and really make it ours. It’s a wonderful place and we really enjoyed it. We are so grateful for that opportunity from the CDP.” Affordable Rental Opportunities and Property ManagementIn the fall of 2009, the Community Development Partnership began partnering with MB Management, a professional property management company specializing in affordable housing, to assume responsibility for the daily property management operations. MB Management staff is on site at the CDP offices and works closely with CDP staff to ensure that the affordable rental units in the CDP portfolio remain in compliance with both safe and health standards as well as well as funder requirements regarding maximum affordable rental rates and tenant eligibility. For more information call 508-240-7873 X17 Last updated: March 26, 2012 |
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It’s an all too familiar story for young families here on the Cape. Brawnwyn Jackett, her partner Nathaniel McKean and their 3 children were struggling to find permanent, affordable housing on the Outer Cape. “I can’t even tell you how many times we moved – from place to place, rental to rental,” said Jackett. “The Cape Cod Shuffle. We’d had it. We couldn’t find a year round place to live, so we were going to move.”
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