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Guests Connect to the Mission at Oysters and Champagne

Through the generosity of the Cape Cod community, Housing Assistance raised nearly $950,000 during its annual Oysters & Champagne event held on July 10 at The Beach Club in Centerville

Proceeds from the annual fundraiser are already making a difference across the region, helping more individuals and families access safe, stable housing and the resources they need to thrive The event not only raised critical funds, featuring the announcement of a major investment of $500,000 from Cape Cod Healthcare, it also brought the organization’s mission to life through the powerful stories of three clients whose lives have been transformed by Housing Assistance’s services

The program featured testimonials from Matt Bolinder, assistant banking center manager for Cape Cod 5, who spoke about the stability his family gained through Section 8 housing when he was a child Corey Heaslip, vice president of project development for Delphi Construction, shared how Housing Assistance’s first-time homebuyer course helped he and his wife navigate the path to homeownership. And Pat Foley, public safety director at Curry College, described how adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to his Sandwich home allowed him to provide secure housing for his aging parents.

While attendees heard directly from these individuals whose lives have been transformed, the impact reaches far beyond the event. Families like Matt’s are now able to secure housing and raise young children in a safe environment. Others, like Corey, have found new beginnings through housing lotteries and support services that guide them every step of the way. And families like Pat’s have been able to put down roots and maintain multigenerational stability in their homes.

All of these efforts support Housing Assistance’s vision: a region where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home and the opportunity to thrive as part of a strong, year-round community.

From left: Housing Assistance Board Chair Bill Bogdanovich and CEO Alisa Magnotta, Cape Cod Healthcare CEO Michael Lauf and his wife Jill

Corey Heaslip, Vice President of Project Development at Delphi Construction, shared his housing story at the event

Four New Board Members Welcomed

In July, Housing Assistance welcomed four new members to its board of directors

“Our organization is bolstered by the addition of these four directors, who bring decades of experience across many areas including strategic leadership, public policy, real estate, marketing, economic development, finance, and nonprofit governance,” said Housing Assistance Board Chair Bill Bogdanovich “Their knowledge and guidance will support our mission and enable us to be even more responsive to the housing needs of Cape Cod ”

The new directors (pictured clockwise from top left) are:

Katie Clancy, Sales Vice President for The Cape House at William Raveis Real Estate

Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Tammy (Glivinski) Saben, President of Saben HR Consulting

Andrea Silbert, President of the Eos Foundation

“As we begin a new chapter in our history with our upcoming strategic planning process, I look forward to working closely with our dedicated board and staff as we shape the vision and direction of our organization for the years ahead,” said Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta. “I am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with the new board members, who bring incredible talent and perspective to their governance roles.”

How Three Little Numbers Can Change Lives

The following is an adaptation of remarks Alisa made at the Oysters and Champagne event in July. When guests checked in, a ping-pong ball that matched their bidder number was placed into the tumbler used during our housing lotteries. Alisa reenacted a housing lottery to help guests viscerally feel what Housing Assistance does every day, and the human impact it has

Pretend I have two three-bedroom homes, and you filled out a lottery application At Housing Assistance, we not only build housing, but we also have the great honor of connecting families to that housing There’s such high demand for our housing that we have to have a lottery to see who gets to live there

I want you to imagine that you are a single parent, newly divorced You have two children, a boy and a girl, a 7-yearold and a 9-year-old In February you lost your rental through no fault of your own Your landlord had to sell it for their own financial reasons Right now, you are living in the spare bedroom of one of your good friends You thought it wouldn’t take long for you to find an apartment You were born and raised here and went to school here, and you know a lot of people here Here it is July 10 and there’s not one apartment on the market that you can afford or that’s even available for you and your family

Get the picture? The fact that I might call your number is really important to you.

The first bidder number is 246. The second is 151. If you have one of those numbers, imagine the relief lifting from your shoulders.

That’s what we get to do at Housing Assistance We make the connection between housing and families. We also have a family shelter, outreach workers who work with people who are homele and we provide financial assistance for those w need emergency help with housing. We have a whole gamut of programs and services.

So often when we talk about housing, we talk about the physicality of it, the bricks and the mortar. What does it look like? How big is it?

We talk about the dollars and cents of it How much is it? What's the ROI? And so often we lose track of the fact that a house is a home where people raise their families It’s where dreams are launched

Our community and our economy cannot thrive and does not work if we don’t have the right kind of housing policies and housing options

What we really think of ourselves doing is giving people vision They can see themselves living here They can see themselves contributing to their community If I did not call your number and your number is still here in the tumbler, please raise your hand (approximately 225 hands were raised) You represent all the people who desperately need housing There are many more times that we have to say no than times we get to say yes We need your support to have the resources to say yes, to keep locals here living, working, and thriving.

Thank you.

Alisa Magnotta, CEO

The lottery “winners” did not go home empty handed.

60 Years of Changing Lives

Ann Rebello recently retired from Housing Assistance after nearly 30 years, most recently serving as executive assistant to our CEO Alisa Magnotta “Ann is our passion keeper and our truth teller,” Alisa said at Ann’s retirement party “No one knows us better and no one loves us more ”

Rebello was also a Housing Assistance client When a series of events forced she and her daughter to live with a family member, she took Housing Assistance’s first-time homebuyer class, even though she didn’t think she could afford to buy a house She purchased a deed-restricted home, which is close to where her daughter and grandsons live

“That’s what Housing Assistance does,” she said. “It helps a person change their life and the effects can last for generations.”

Margaret Benaka, Senior Director of Annual and Legacy Giving, celebrates her 30th anniversary with Housing Assistance this month. “Over the years, I’ve always worked in fundraising, but it’s evolved,” said Benaka. “I oversee our annual fund and our donor stewardship, reaching out to donors to thank them and update them. I have honestly the best job in the world because I see the goodness in people every day.”

“Margaret’s 30 years with Housing Assistance speak volumes about her dedication, not just to the work, but to the people behind it,” said Christa Danilowicz, VP of Philanthropy. “She brings so much heart, thoughtfulness, and consistency to everything she does. Our team, and truly our entire community, is better because of her.”

Remembering Rick Presbrey:

‘His Mission Was to Help One Person at a Time’

Housing Assistance is saddened by the passing of Rick Presbrey, our founder and first CEO, on June 6. Rick led Housing Assistance for 43 years and was deeply passionate about helping families find stability through housing. He advocated for policies that created more housing on the Cape and he was a caring leader who always put the needs of those served by our agency first, while ensuring that our own Housing Assistance family had what it needed so that employees could be successful in their work. His vision of a Cape where people at all income levels could enjoy safe, comfortable housing still guides our efforts today.

“I’m proud of the fact that we’re a ‘yes’ agency. Anyone who comes in the door, we always try to help someone rather than referring them to someone else,” Rick said in an interview with the Barnstable Patriot shortly before he retired in 2016. “We’ve had a positive effect on a lot of people’s lives.”

Ann Rebello and family at her retirement party.

Margaret Benaka and her mother, Anne Smith, a longtime Housing Assistance volunteer

Michael Sweeney came to Housing Assistance as a VISTA volunteer for the weatherization department and retired 36 years later, after se chief operating officer for many years. He and spent many Saturdays doing dump runs for clie helping them with various fix-up chores

“He had a real passion for helping people and heart that guided him in how to do it,” said Sw “One of the things I fondly remember is he wo sit in the waiting area with people who were h trouble and find out their story to understand their needs were Then he would try to figure to make Housing Assistance’s services more re to that issue, because if somebody has it more one person has that problem

“He could communicate what the needs were, need for housing and the need for the community to be involved – and he could get people to follow him I don’t know how you’d add up a 40-plus-year career of helping people, how many people that would be ”

Meg Chaffee, director of Property Management, has worked at Housing Assistance since 2001, after having been a shelter client with her son

“Rick was a mentor, a father figure you could trust and talk to,” she said “He was very kind, very understanding, and willing to help anybody His mission was to help one person at a time I wonder sometimes where so many people would be without his help The world seems like it's a little off balance without him ”

We send our deepest condolences to Rick’s family and friends His dedication and commitment will always be remembered at Housing Assistance

Presbrey, pictured with long time supporters Area and Michael Princi at Housing Assistance ‘ s 45 anniversary celebration in 2019 th

Client Turned Volunteer Shares Story

Matt Bolinder, assistant banking center manager for Cape Cod 5, was one of three former clients who spoke at our Oysters and Champagne fundraiser

You may know me as Matt the banker, or most likely as Devan’s husband What you may not know about me is that growing up, it was just my mom and I, and we struggled financially Although it was hard, being involved with Housing Assistance – and receiving a Section 8 voucher – felt like winning the lottery We received every type of support Housing Assistance had to offer We couldn’t have done it without them

At one point we were homeless, and still today I live in fear of my family going through what I did My core childhood memories include the day at the supermarket that an adult harassed us for having food assistance, calling us “section 8’ers ” At another point, our landlord gave us a 30-day notice to evict because she was selling the house I was headed home from college with no place to live

In 2018, in an effort to give back, I began volunteering with Housing Assistance’s Family Self Sufficiency program We helped clients with budgeting, understanding credit, and much more We came up with an idea for a credit builder loan program, secured $10k in funding, and saw an average credit score increase of 131 points The joy in their voices during the process was beyond humbling

Today I am a proud father, lucky husband, and a grateful homeowner I have been part of the Big Fix, Telethon, Walk for Hope, and anything else I can offer myself for, all to repay Housing Assistance I implore you to do the same When you show up and make a difference in someone’s life, you will be amazed at how you both feel

Matt Bolinder, sharing his story at July’s Oysters & Champagne fundraiser

From left: Lorraine Levine, Ellyn Osmond, Donny Levine and Courtenay Cruger; Kara Cleary and Kristin Welo; Tony Shepley, John Carey, Piper Connolly, Shaelyn Hegarty and Miah Hegarty

Event Sponsors

VISIONARY SPONSOR

CHAMPAGNE SPONSORS

Jeffrey & Nancy Bilezikian

Brooks Thayer & Carol Rowley

Karyn Polito

Olaf & Margot Thorp

SIGNATURE SPONSORS

OYSTER SPONSORS

Erica Pearson

PEARL SPONSORS GATHER ‘ROUND SPONSOR

Bass River Properties

Cape Cod Insulation

CJ Riley Builder

Dain, Torpy, LeRay, Wiest, & Garner P.C.

Saben HR Consulting Union Studio

TIDE to TABLE SPONSOR

TOKENS OF THANKS SPONSOR

Jack & Cathy Brennan

TRANSPORTATION SPONSOR

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL SPONSOR

Capital Campaign Update

Thanks to the support of our community, we’re nearing the finish line of our $5 million capital campaign that launched in November 2023, with 98% of our goal achieved. This effort is fueling the creation of over 200 new affordable housing units, building on the nearly 600 homes we’ve already developed. As one of the region’s largest affordable housing developers, we remain committed to advocating for innovative solutions that expand year-round housing opportunities for our community.

PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE

Family Empowerment Center, Dennis

Currently occupied Serving to up to 79 families; the majority are single mothers with young children Education and programs focused on financial management, housing search, nutrition and more prepare parents and their children for independent living

Former shelter buildings in Hyannis, Falmouth, and Cataumet will be converted to permanent, year-round housing and our Upper Cape Regional Housing Resource Center

Regional Housing Resource Center, 255 Independence, Hyannis

Renovations completed in 2024, team relocated in January 2025

Houses our administrative and Housing Counseling and Education teams

Improved access to programs and increased collaborative space for the community

460 West Main, Hya

Purchased in late 2024 St Joseph’s House Shelter will be relocated from its site on Winter Street Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River will manage the shelter program Duffy Health Center will have a co-located medical clinic to provide primary care and behavioral health services

107 Main Street, Orl

Under construction with 90% completion Remains on schedule for October 2025 completion Lottery underway

Spring Rock Village, Brewster* Cornerstone, Stevens Street, Hyannis

In closing In closing

Governor Prence, Orleans*

In permitting

*POAH Collaboration

Clinical Services: The Next Step in Housing Stabilization

This is the first in an occasional series introducing you to Housing Assistance’s departments. This interview was conducted with Caitlin Pierce, Director of Clinical Services.

What do you want people to know about your team?

The Clinical Services team is the next step in housing stabilization after our homeless outreach team. We primarily work with who we would label the ‘housing unstable.’ Maybe they’re housed but they face the threat of losing that housing. Maybe they’re searching for housing, but they’re living in a motel, or they have shelter to some degree. It’s not your classically homeless, but all our services have something to do with that catchment of ‘I could lose my housing, so how do I stay with this roof over my head?’ Our job is to help keep a roof over someone’s head.

What statistics can you share about your team and the services you provide?

We probably serve anywhere between 160 to 200 clients a month, depending on referrals, depending on flow. That both demonstrates a need and the workload that falls on our case managers. Not all of those are high-need intensive cases. Some of those are just people who might have an application in the pipeline and want someone to support them in that process, or they don’t have a sense of urgency in their situation. But some of them are getting evicted tomorrow and don’t know what to do.

Tell us about your team members. What’s cool is we’ve hired some people who have great backgrounds under their wings. We have a lot of case management experience coming into play. I just love who we have on our team. I joke with them all the time that nobody’s allowed to leave.

Any success stories you’d like to talk about?

I think about the families that we’ve seen come out of shelter and go through HomeBASE [a statewide financial assistance program] and get themselves into a stable living position where they’ve now earned enough to take over their lease or to be successful renters. A couple of our young adults have found themselves successfully renting and being stable and keeping down jobs and going to community college and getting out of living in their cars. That’s really cool when you see that happen.

And then I feel gratitude for the little things. Being able to hand somebody a Stop and Shop gift card and people say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so great. Thank you.’

Our job is to help keep a roof over someone’s head.

– Caitlin Pierce Director of Clinical Services

Learn more about the Clinical Services department by scanning the QR code or visiting: haconcapecod.org/program-services/case-management/#overview

The Clinical Services team at a recent Housing Assistance staff breakfast

Caitlin Pierce Runs Falmouth Road Race to Help Youth Clients

No matter her finishing time at this year’s Falmouth Road Ra Pierce, director of Clinical Services at Housing Assistance, w victorious She’s running the rugged 7 1-mile race with a goa $5,000 for our youth and young adult services, one of sever she oversees in the agency.

“We have seen so many success stories of young adults goin places unsuitable for long-term living (campsites, cars, motel temporary shelters, couch-surfing, etc.) to successfully findin housing, but the need is great,” said Pierce, who is training fo Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October. “Th raise may go toward somebody’s first month payment on a r keeping somebody’s lights on, buying work uniforms for a jo providing groceries so a decision doesn’t have to be made –eat.”

To support Pierce’s fundraising effort, visit p2p.onecause.com/hacfundraiser/caitlin-langan-pierce or scan the QR code.

The Rewards of Volunteering

Housing Assistance’s volunteer program, which was derailed by COVID in 2020, has been slowly rebuilding since then.

“It’s a work in progress,” according to Catherine Clark, VP of Community Engagement. “We have people ready to go who want to help. We want to find a great opportunity for them. I’ve been working closely with our staff to identify special projects for volunteers. What's the best way to match volunteer prospects with an experience that also serves a direct need here within our organization?

“It restores your faith in humanity when so many people reach out to donate their time and their talents and their energy Volunteers save our organization staff time and resources and also help broaden our reach in the community We want to match them with projects that align with their passion for our mission, but also with their skills and expertise ”

Many upcoming volunteer opportunities revolve around the new Family Empowerment Center in Dennis, including helping to keep the donation center organized, driving shelter clients to grocery stores and appointments, and helping with childcare at the family shelter Administrative tasks such as preparing fundraising mailings are another option

A Volunteer’s Viewpoint

“One of our longtime donors started as a transportation volunteer,” said Clark. “During those little drives, he got to know our clients and being able to support them in that way was a rewarding experience.”

The first step for somebody who wants to volunteer is to visit haconcapecod.org/get-involved/volunteer, where there is an online application.

The next step is to attend a volunteer orientation, hosted by Clark, which includes an overview of Housing Assistance’s work. “Many times, people associate our organization with their own point of entry, such as taking a first-time home buyer class,” she said “It has been really helpful to go through our multifaceted programs and services with them, as well as having a face-to-face conversation about their interests, their availability, so that we can better match them with a fulfilling opportunity ”

After that, volunteers are matched with a supervisor who outlines their responsibilities, makes sure it’s a good fit, and runs an onboarding process

For more information, visit haconcapecod.org/get-involved/volunteer or contact Catherine Clark at volunteer@haconcapecod.org.

“When I moved to the Cape in June, I was eager to become a positive force within the community,” said Jon Davis, a volunteer with the administration department “I am a helper by nature, and have always been happy to donate my time to a mission, but I can safely say that what I found at HAC has spectacularly exceeded my expectations of what the volunteer experience can be like

“The staff was incredibly welcoming, treating me as if I was another employee, giving me a proper introduction to everyone in the office Through this friendliness and inclusivity, Housing Assistance immediately generated a sense of pride and fulfillment within me, as if I was not just a free helper, but a meaningful piece of their mission to improve the Cape Cod community.

“The work has been similarly meaningful. I can actually see and feel the impact that I am having.”

New Class Aimed at Potential Home Buyers

Housing Assistance is offering a new class aimed at renters who are considering whether they are ready to purchase a home Housing Assistance has offered a multisession class for first-time home buyers for many years. First Steps to Home Ownership is a one-hour, preliminary class that will serve as a precursor and help attendees understand early steps they can take to prepare for purchasing a home in the future.

“This new educational opportunity is being offered to complement our course offerings and make the process more accessible to those just getting started,” said Catherine Clark, Housing Assistance’s vice president of community engagement. “Part of our mission is to empower individuals and to provide them with education and support to become homeowners. That’s the American dream.”

The class will provide information for a person to selfassess whether they are ready to buy a home before enrolling in a comprehensive eight-hour first-time home

buyer workshop Topics include budgeting and credit, the lending process, loan programs, and affordable homeownership opportunities in the community

“We saw a need for a pre-First Time Homebuyer class for those people who are just starting to think about home ownership and don’t know whether they are ready to start their search,” said Shannon Pyne, Housing Assistance’s lead housing counselor and community educator. “Many people don't know what lenders are looking for in order to approve them for a mortgage or even where or how to begin.

Hopefully First Steps will provide them with some clarity and direction.”

The launch of the First Steps to Home Ownership class aligns with the beginning of construction of Cornerstone Homes, our upcoming homeownership opportunity on Stevens Street in Hyannis. The 50-condomunium project will house more than 100 people.

Class participants will be encouraged to enroll in our Money Matters financial literacy class or reach out to meet with one of our four HUD-certified housing counselors, while others may feel ready to take the first-time home buyer course.

“The goal is for them to eventually be linked with one of our housing counselors,” said Clark. “The course will create an option that may meet the needs of different socioeconomic populations. Those who complete the course may be able to apply for Cornerstone Homes and other housing lotteries that we administer.”

“We’re not only responding to the needs of our community, but we’re being strategic and creative to help set people up for success,” said Clark. “Every housing situation is unique, and we continue to meet people where they are and determine the best way to support them.”

The First Steps to Home Ownership class will be offered Aug. 26, Sept. 24, Oct. 21 and Dec 2.

Stay tuned for details on registration.

Housing Assistance Named Nonprofit of the Year

In June, Housing Assistance was recognized as MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board’s Nonprofit Partner of the Year.

“We are thrilled to announce Housing Assistance as the recipient of our Nonprofit Partner of the Year award in recognition of their exceptional commitment to advancing housing solutions across the region,” said the CIWB announcement. “With a shared commitment to advocating for affordable workforce housing, HAC and the CIWB have proven to be strong and effective collaborative partners – working together to support the stability and success of the region’s workforce.”

Tackling housing challenges takes collaboration and we’re proud to work alongside partners who understand just how critical safe, stable housing is to the strength of our region’s workforce. Thank you, CIWB, for your recognition and partnership. We’re in this together!

Upcoming Virtual Classes and Workshops

Learn more and register at haconcapecod.org/program-services/education-and-housing-counseling.

Money Matters

Free two-night workshop that will help you set financial goals, make a spending plan and identify ways to create an emergency fund

Sept. 2 and 4

Oct. 7 and 9

Nov. 18 and 20

First-time Homebuyer

A multi-session course that provides an overview of the homebuying process Topics include money management, mortgage loan programs, insurance and more

Sept. 17 and 20

Oct. 14, 16 and 21

Nov. 12 and 15

Home Safe

Fulfills the post-purchase education requirements for the OneMortgage loan program and provides a forum to share experiences with other homeowners

Sept. 23 and 25

Dec. 6

Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta with Christa Danilowicz, Vice President of Philanthropy, and Catherine Clark, Vice President of Community Engagement

WE THE PEOPLE

Civic

Engagement

in Action Civic Engagement in Action

Discover the power of local action and civic courage.

Join us for an inspiring afternoon exploring how individuals and communities on Cape Cod and beyond are shaping a more just and engaged society. You’ll hear firsthand from those who’ve taken a stand, spoken out, and sparked change – and have the opportunity to reflect, engage, and take your own next step.

7 MBL ST, WOODS HOLE CLAPP AUDITORIUM, LILLIE BUILDING

Featured Keynote

Tamara Lanier

Activist & Author of From These Roots: My Fight with Harvard to Reclaim My Legacy

Co-sponsored by This program is funded in part by a grant from

TUESDAY SEPT 9 4–6 PM

Patricia Mitrokostas

Principal Director of Strategic Funding Initiatives, Housing Assistance Moderated by

Panel Discussion & Local Voices

Tara Vargas Wallace

Founder & CEO, Amplify POC

Paul Selker

President, Spark Street Digital and Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, Town of Arlington

Elizabeth Saito Journalist

Falmouth High School Student Voices for the Future

RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKET

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4th Annual Summit Thursday 30

Be the Voice for Housing on Cape Cod

TheHousingtoProtectCapeCod Coalition(HPCC)empowersusto:

Speakupattownmeetingsand boardhearings

Getappointedorelectedto localcommittees

Supportpoliciesthatcreate homesforallofus

Weofferfreeworkshops, mentorship,andsupporttohelp youbecomealocalhousing advocate.Whetheryou'reafirsttimerorlong-timeresident,there's aplaceforyouinthismovement.

Let’s not lose the people who help make and keep Cape Cod a vibrant and attractive community to live in, work and visit. Stay connected. Get training. Make your voice heard.

Join local leaders, advocates & community members in building a stronger, year-round Cape Cod.

Emerald Resort, Hyannis | 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM • breakfast & lunch provided

Who We Are

The HPCC Coalition was formed in 2022 to turn the tide on the housing crisis. We comprise organizations that span industries, from nonprofits to businesses.