“Lasting change isn’t a sprint. It’s a relay,” said Emily Wagner, Executive Director of CCYP (Cape Cod Young Professionals) during a panel discussion at the fourth annual Housing to Protect Cape Cod summit.
Forward motion was one of the day’s main themes. Alisa Magnotta, CEO of Housing Assistance, opened with reflections on a year of progress – from expanded local engagement to new tools helping communities champion housing initiatives. “Every person in this room is part of the solution,” she said. “When we come together – across towns, sectors and generations – we can create the housing our region needs and the future our communities deserve.”
As in past years, the event drew around 300 people, who came for a powerful day of collaboration, ideas, and advocacy. Business leaders, planners, homeowners, renters, public officials, and other attendees explored real solutions for housing on Cape Cod and the Islands.
The 4th annual Housing to Protect Cape Cod Summit concluded with recognition of five local housing champions (pictured above, starting third from left): Austin Miller, Hannah Vanderscheuren, Emily Wagner, Francesca Galazzi and Jasmine Valdes.
State Senator Julian Cyr and Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, shared updates on state and regional efforts addressing affordability, zoning reform and opportunities for smart growth across the Cape.
A panel discussion moderated by Stefanie Coxe, Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, dove into the details of pending legislation and zoning strategies – like Chapter 40Y – that can unlock underutilized land and promote starter homes.
Another panel discussion, “From Seasonal to Sustainable: Opportunities to Create Year-Round Housing,” brought together local experts who discussed converting seasonal rentals into year-round housing and aligning local planning with workforce needs.
The inspiring “Next Gen of Housing Advocates” panel featured emerging leaders from CCYP, Housing Assistance, and the towns of Orleans, Provincetown, and Falmouth, showing that the movement for housing is strong and growing.
The final agenda item of the day was giving out the Housing Champion Award to the members of the Next Generation panel. “We wanted to give this year’s award to the future,” said Magnotta. “You stay informed and you participate. We want to recognize you, and we’re going to support you. What we’ve done here today is to try to keep these people here, give them a vision, a way to see themselves, raise their family, invest in their careers, and retire here. It’s all of us for all of them.”
