A NEWSLETTER FROM HOUSING ASSISTANCE
New Housing Resource Center Is Up and Running
Housing Assistance’s new office officially opened for business on January 22, after a months-long process to prepare the building. “This has been a team effort, as everything is at Housing Assistance,” said longtime employee Ann Rebello before cutting the ribbon at a brief ceremony the week before.
In addition to housing our administrative team, the new space will be the hub for our Education & Housing Counseling programs and services and serve as one of three regional Housing Resource Centers. We operate a site in Orleans and plan to open another location in the Upper Cape region.
The 22,000-square-foot office building is located at 255 Independence Drive in Hyannis. The move comes as Housing Assistance has outgrown its longtime offices at 460 West Main Street. The nonprofit currently employs about 120 people and expects to create eight new full- and part-time positions at the new location.
“We’re really seeing this as a housing resource center, with this idea that someone in need or a client can come in and have the benefit of that one-stop shopping,” said CEO Alisa Magnotta.
Continued on page 2
In this issue
A Letter from Alisa: Is There Such a Thing as ‘Too Much’ Market-Rate Housing?
PAGE 3
Housing Assistance Recognized as a ‘Top Place to Work’ PAGE 5
Who Are We Keeping? Employer Helps Family Deepen Cape Roots PAGE 6
Who Are We Keeping?
Housing Lottery Makes Teacher’s Dream Come True PAGE 7
Community Groups Generously Give Hope Where They Live PAGE 8
Housing Development Update
PAGE 10
Veteran Fundraiser Joins Development Team
PAGE 11
Executive Assistant Ann Rebello cuts the ribbon at Housing Assistance’s new headquarters.
At the ribbon cutting Magnotta thanked the board of directors for “giving me the permission to dream big for our agency and to do great things for the community.”
She also thanked Keith Trott, Director of Housing Production & Maintenance, and his team for renovating the building and Tana Brennan, Facilities Projects Manager, for overseeing the logistics of the move into the new headquarters.
“This is the perfect space for us to help people get started on their housing security journey,” said COO Cassi Danzl.
The front entry at 255 Independence is warm and inviting.
Alisa Magnotta addresses the crowd at the ribbon cutting.
Attendees at the ribbon cutting included staff, partners and community leaders.
Is There Such a Thing as ‘Too Much’ Market-Rate Housing?
Dear Friends,
I recently read a newspaper article implying that there is enough – actually, too much –market-rate housing in Hyannis. Our organization knows all too well about our regional housing crisis, as evidenced by the 940-plus applications that we received for Cape View Way, a 42-unit affordable property that we are developing in Sagamore Beach. Most of those applicants are from Barnstable County and willing to travel long distances to work in other parts of the region if only for a place to live.
While there are many factors that have contributed to the current crisis, it’s clear that our region’s housing supply has not kept pace with demand. We have a shortage of year-round units, and households making less than $200,000 a year still struggle to find a home they can afford. Even those who manage to find rentals are paying nearly 70% more for rental housing than the national average.
Developing housing is a high-risk business with many independent variables like land and construction costs that drive up the rents needed to service the debt for projects. When more apartments come online, local rents may decrease somewhat; the lower rental income may change the amount a developer can borrow. Any reduction in median rents may be a problem for a bank or developer, but it would be music to the ears of locals searching for a place to live.
The Town of Barnstable took intentional action to address the housing crisis – and we are seeing results. With the certainty of zoning and expedited permitting now in place, coupled with the demonstrated demand for rentals at all income levels, developers have more than enough incentives to move forward with confidence.
What we need across the Cape is an increased supply of housing, but it needs to be more than a dichotomy between luxury and affordable. New developments help address the “missing middle” by adding both affordable and market-rate housing that is urgently needed by our workers. Job vacancy rates, decreases in school enrollment, and the median age of our population make clear the enduring need for housing production.
The amount of housing development in Hyannis is an excellent example of how regulatory changes can spur innovation, allowing the marketplace to solve societal problems without using taxpayer dollars. If more towns followed their lead, then we truly could begin to see the housing crisis abate.
Alisa Magnotta, CEO
Housing Assistance Recognized As a ‘Top Place to Work’
At the end of last year, the Housing Assistance team was honored with a spot on The Boston Globe’s 2024 “Top Places to Work” list in the medium-size employer category. We joined a high-caliber group of employers that were recognized for their workplace culture and efforts to foster an environment where employees feel valued, supported and appreciated.
“This recognition by the Boston Globe is incredibly meaningful to our entire 120-person team,” said Alisa Magnotta, CEO of Housing Assistance. “We have worked hard to build a great culture rooted in collaboration and respect, and it is rewarding to see that reflected in this distinction. Our employees’ dedication to each other and to addressing the housing crisis across Cape Cod is what makes Housing Assistance such a special place to work.”
The first-time recognition of Housing Assistance had special meaning as it coincided with our 50th anniversary.
“Our workforce is our biggest asset,” said Bill Bogdanovich, Chair of Housing Assistance’s Board of Directors and CEO of Broad Reach Healthcare, a past recipient of the “Top Places to Work” honor. “This recognition, driven by our employees’ feedback, is a powerful reminder of how important it is to cultivate a culture and organization where people are proud to work.”
Housing Assistance has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that all residents on Cape Cod have access to safe, stable and affordable housing. Through shelters and homeless services and programs such as homelessness prevention, education, housing counseling, and affordable housing development, we are working to build stronger communities on the Cape and provide local residents and families with pathways to economic and housing stability. The work is challenging, but our culture directly impacts the team’s morale, which is of utmost importance in this type of work.
The Boston Globe’s annual Top Places to Work list honors companies with employees across Massachusetts that excel in employee satisfaction and workplace culture. The rankings are based on survey responses from tens of thousands of employees who evaluate their companies on factors such as leadership, values, training and benefits. More than 8,000 organizations were invited to participate across four categories: small, medium, large and largest companies.
CEO Alisa Magnotta celebrated the award with her daughter, Francesca Galazzi, and Richard Krause, VP of People & Culture.
Who Are We Keeping?
Employer Helps Family Deepen Cape Roots
Celso Alvando-Fajando is a cook who has worked at the Skipper Chowder House in South Yarmouth for over 15 years. “I’m 31, so Celso has been a part of our restaurant family for my whole adult life,” said Aidan Delaney, whose parents purchased the restaurant in 1999. The restaurant employs about 100 people during the summer and about 40 yearround.
After Delaney learned that Alvando-Fajando and his family were considering moving to New Hampshire to find a house they could afford to purchase, he did some research and found out about Housing Assistance’s sales by lottery. “We have a lot of great people who work for us, like Celso, who are integral to our team,” he said. “If there’s things that we can do to help them out, it’s a no brainer. You don’t want to lose a 15-year employee.”
Aidan Delaney, right, celebrated with Celso Alvando-Fajando when he closed on his home purchase.
Alvando-Fajando, who was born in El Salvador and has lived on Cape Cod for 25 years, took a first-time homebuyer’s course last spring, in hopes of buying a home for his wife and three children. Delaney said the process was somewhat streamlined because, as Alvando-Fajando’s employer, he had ready access to W-2 forms and pay stubs. “It was really easy for me to pass them along to Celso for the application process,” Delaney said.
“I had notifications on my phone for when a new house would go up,” said Delaney. “My wife and my dad were all looking for a place that Celso could call home. My favorite movie is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ and there’s a great scene in the movie where George Bailey is sitting down with his father, who says that there’s a fundamental urge for somebody to want to be able to own their own home and to raise their family.
“It can feel like an overwhelming process, so to have good support behind you is very valuable. One thing that I’m really aware of is that my dad came over from Ireland in 1983 and he always tells me he came with just the cash in his wallet and the American dream. If we can help people strive for the American dream of owning your own home, then why not do it?”
It took Alvando-Fajando two lottery attempts before he was able to purchase a four-bedroom house in Yarmouthport. “I felt so bad about the first one because I was really hoping, but the ping-pong balls didn’t roll our way,” said Delaney. It was all for the best, as Alvando-Fajando ended up in a home closer to his workplace and with more room for his children.
In the second lottery, Alvando-Fajando’s number was the eighth ping pong-ball picked, but the optimized lottery is weighted for maximum occupancy, and he was the first person who had a need of four bedrooms.
“I was so happy, when I got the news,” said Alvando-Fajando. “The house where we were living is not in great condition. I cried when Aidan called to tell me.” He’s excited that his new home has a quiet yard where his children can safely play.
“Celso is very humble, but he is a truly amazing man,” said Delaney. “We need people like Celso to stay in our community.”
To learn more about homes for sale through Housing Assistance, visit haconcapecod.org/program-services/ find-housing/affordable-homes-for-sale
Who Are We Keeping?
Housing Lottery Makes Teacher’s Dream Come True
Shawn and Jessica Avery met when they were students at Sandwich High School, and they love Cape Cod. Now adults with two sons diagnosed with autism, they want to keep their boys in the school systems where they feel comfortable and have the support they need.
The Averys rented a home in Sandwich for many years and then one in Mashpee, but they yearned for a home of their own, even while wondering if it was realistic. “As a teacher, I make a decent salary, but the cost of purchasing a home was just not feasible for us,” said Shawn.
They remembered a friend who had won a housing lottery in Sandwich some years back. “It was something that just kind of always stuck in the back of our minds,” he said. “It was something that we started to look into more as we wanted to have a place where we could settle down. The house that we were renting at the time wasn’t in great shape and we wanted to make a home for our boys and not have to worry about shuffling from house to house or rent prices going up.”
The first time the family applied for a Housing Assistance lottery for a Marstons Mills home, things didn’t go their way. “We were picked dead last for that one,” he said. “I’m sure many people would have felt like we did, that this was going to be the start of some disappointment.”
Things went better when they applied in October 2023 for a three-bedroom house under construction in Falmouth. “We were the very first ones picked,” he said. “I saw the look of shock that my wife had when our number came up. It was an amazing moment to know that we were going to have a place that we could settle into and call home.”
Shawn said the application process went smoothly. “There’s definitely a lot of ducks that you have to get in a row and make sure that everything is squared away and above board, but I felt that everyone was super helpful anytime that I had questions about anything.”
The builder even made some minor modifications to make the house safer for the boys. The family moved in at the end of April 2024.
“It’s still tough to make ends meet, and it’s not like we’re now swimming in money, but it’s a dream come true to have a stable place for our boys that we can settle into and not have to worry about having to go somewhere else because somebody is selling their house or looking to up the rent. We’re just extremely thankful for the opportunity that Housing Assistance provided us.”
To learn more about Housing Assistance ownership and rental lotteries, visit haconcapecod.org/ program-services/find-housing
Shawn Avery shot this photo of his family’s home last fall when the northern lights were visible.
Community Groups Generously Give Hope Where They Live
One Love Lane in Dennis is the future home of Housing Assistance’s family shelter, but on December 15, it was already bursting with energy as donors gathered for a celebration culminating the Give Hope Where You Live campaign.
where you live
It was heartwarming to gather with our friends and supporters as we celebrated this milestone event and wrapped up our 50th anniversary year on a positive note. Thanks to the unwavering kindness of our community, we raised $82,212, including approximately 1,788 in-kind donations. These contributions make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in our community.
“I love living on Cape Cod,” said CEO Alisa Magnotta. “We do a good job of taking care of each other. That’s evidenced today.”
The donations included a truckload of items gathered through a drive organized by Kelli Dottridge of Osterville – 30 tents, 57 sleeping bags, 170 hats, 159 pairs of gloves and more. “A lot of wonderful people contributed items,” she said. “It’s incredible to see it all stacked together.” Dottridge has organized
donation drives for Housing Assistance for seven years. “I have so much compassion for people going through hard times. A lot of us could be a breath away from being there.”
Community partners supporting the Give Hope Where You Live campaign included the Cape & Islands United Way’s “Cozy Jackets, Cozy Kids” Coat Drive in partnership with Puritan Cape Cod, who donated 53 Patagonia jackets to our families living in shelter. Attendees at the Cotuit Center for the Arts’ “A Charlie Brown Christmas Album” show contributed 135 grocery gift cards valued at $2,250, along with additional gifts.
Becca Fracassa, Director of Community Impact for Comcast, attended the event at Love Lane. “At Comcast, we talk a lot about connecting people to what’s important in their lives,” she said of their Partner sponsorship for the event. “Twenty years ago, our volunteers painted the Angel House shelter. We look forward to seeing this phenomenal new project in action.”
To learn more about contributing to Housing Assistance, visit haconcapecod. org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Kelli Dottridge organized a drive that resulted in donations of tents, sleeping bags, winter clothing and more.
Jackie Barber and Evy Nelson of the United Way presented Catherine Clark, VP of Community Engagement, and Patty Mitrokostas, Senior Director of Strategic Funding Initiatives & Foundation Relations, with Puritan Clothing’s donation of winter jackets.
Special Thanks to Our Give Hope Partners!
Fundraisers
Mid-Cape Home Centers
Dr. Kumara Sidhartha
Donation
Drive Hosts
Michael & Area Princi’s Annual Christmas Basket Party
Cape Cod Book Clubs
Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS® Community Engagement Group
Silvia Doe’s Centerville Neighborhood
Cotuit Civic Association
Dick & Eugenie Schott
Eversource
Falmouth Jewish Congregation
Harwich Woman’s Club
Kelli Dottridge
Harbor Church
Team USDA Giving Tree
Doug Mackie
Partner Sponsors
Double Your Impact Surpasses Goal
Housing matters and every dollar counts!
Hope Sponsor
Impact Sponsors
The dedication of our community is one of the things that stood out when we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Housing Assistance last year. In honor of our milestone year, Tony and Lorraine Shepley, the Harrison Foundation, and the Hermann Foundation generously contributed toward a matching fund for all donations we received by the end of the year.
With your support, we exceeded the match, raising more than $218,000. This will help us serve more than 6,000 people coming to Housing Assistance in 2025. That will include hundreds of seniors on fixed incomes trying to age in place and young families who struggle to find housing they can afford. Thank you to all who contributed for providing hope to those who need it most.
Register today!
Developments Provide Much-Needed Inventory
Two more projects will be completed in 2025
All Residents Moved In!
• 39 affordable apartments
• Received 230 applications; 180 were eligible for lottery
• 79 residents
• 31 children under 17 years old
• New playground breaking ground this summer
Modular Units Being Assembled Onsite
Projected Opening Summer 2025
• Modular boxes are being installed
• 14 affordable homes will house over 30 people
• Units will be 1BR, 2BR, and 3BR rental units
• Lottery opens March 2025
Watch a short video about 107 Main Street: WATCH ON
Near Completion
Projected Opening Spring 2025
• 42 affordable homes will house over 100 people
• Units will be a mix of 1BR, 2BR, and 3BR rental apartments
• Lottery closed January 27th – over 940 applicants
Stevens Street, Hyannis
Workforce Homeownership In Financing
• 50 condominiums will house over 100 people
• 40 will be sold to moderate-income families
• 10 will be sold at market rate
Veteran Fundraiser Joins Development Team
Housing Assistance spent much of its 50th year positioning the organization for the future, and the new year is already bringing exciting changes to our Resource Development team as we welcome Christa Danilowicz as Vice President of Philanthropy. Christa brings a wealth of experience to our team, most recently at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands, where she dedicated nearly a decade of her career to fundraising efforts.
Christa’s professional expertise includes major gifts, annual fund development, strategic planning, special events, and collaborating with board and fundraising leadership committees. She is deeply passionate about cultivating meaningful relationships and strongly believes in the transformative power of purposeful missions to create a better world.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Christa is an active and committed community volunteer. She serves as a board member for The Philanthropy Partners of Cape Cod and the Islands, has held roles as Co-Chair and committee member for PPCI’s Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod, contributes to the Fundraising Alumni Committee for the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, and actively participates in the Sandwich PTA.
As Christa joins our team, Anne Van Vleck has shifted from Chief Development Officer to a consulting role. Anne has been a valued member of our team since 2017, and her commitment and contributions have left a lasting impact. As a consultant, Anne will focus on special projects, particularly related to major gifts, continuing to contribute her fundraising expertise in support of our mission. We are grateful for her dedication and look forward to seeing the innovative work she will contribute moving forward.
Christa Danilowicz, incoming Vice President of Philanthropy, has worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance.
Chief Development Officer Anne Van Vleck has shifted to a consulting role.
255 Independence Drive
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-771-5400
haconcapecod.org
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