Donor Spotlight: Ira Toyota

‘Together We Can Figure Out Some Solutions’

Dennis Lopes loved growing up in Falmouth and he’s happy that his children grew up on Cape Cod, but he worries that if he has grandchildren, they won’t be able to do the same.

“I bought a house here, but I don’t know if my kids can buy a home here,” said the general manager of Ira Toyota in Hyannis “The housing crisis is crazy, and I don’t think it’s going to go away anytime soon Housing Assistance has the experience and expertise to make a difference ”

That’s why Ira Toyota of Hyannis has been a Housing Assistance supporter since 1995 and a Corporate Innovator Sponsor since 2018.

“I’m certainly concerned about big rental firms coming in with cash and buying up all the middle-priced homes,” Lopes said. “What that means for the average Joe on Cape Cod is that you’re out That’s an issue, and I see it every day ”

Many of Ira Toyota’s 84 employees are struggling to buy a house or find a rental and about 30% of his staff lives off Cape for that reason, according to Lopes. “I've got four or five guys here right now looking for a rental place,” he said. “It affects everyone’s business because if you can’t hire and keep quality people, your business struggles.”

Lopes’ son lives in Providence and his daughter lives with him while she is studying to become a nurse. He hopes that someday they will both able to raise families on Cape Cod

“I consider myself lucky, being in the position of maybe being able to help my kids, but that's not the case for most people,” he said. “What do they do? Their kids leave and don’t come back. We have all these young people who can’t live on Cape Cod because it’s too expensive.”

Lopes encourages others to become Housing Assistance supporters. “My company can maybe put a little dent in it, but together we can figure out some solutions,” he said.

In addition to Ira Toyota’s longtime financial support of Housing Assistance, staff members have been regular participants in the Big Fix, Housing Assistance’s volunteer program to help senior homeowners with home repairs and yard maintenance.

“They’re happy to be helping other people. That’s the bottom line,” said Lopes.