News
Eastern Bank Foundation Continues to ‘Step Up’ to Help Cape’s Homeless
A 95-year-old World War II veteran and his daughter who became homeless after losing their Yarmouth rental. A married couple with disabilities who were sleeping in their jam-packed car as the cold winter temperatures moved in. These are just a [...]
Gossip and Hearsay Won’t Lead to Solutions
EDITORIAL BY ALISA MAGNOTTA The migrant crisis that has long been making headlines in faraway states such as Texas and California has finally reached our shores, bringing with it strong emotions and reactions for many residents. We have seen the [...]
Pricey and Nonexistent: The Housing Crisis Forces More Residents into Homelessness
Two parents, both working steady jobs – they’re probably not the first people you think of when you imagine someone who’s homeless, but increasingly, that’s the face of homelessness on Cape Cod. “That’s something I had never really seen before [...]
For the Foleys, an ADU is the Perfect Solution
For John and Barbara-Anne Foley, converting a garage into an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) was just what they needed to allow them to save money in a downsized space while living close to family. John and Barbara-Anne Foley say [...]
‘I Know What It’s Like,’ Says New Homeless Youth Peer Mentor
Parker Thomson speaks from experience when he works with young adults who are at risk of homelessness. Thomson, who joined Housing Assistance in March as a homeless youth peer mentor, spent part of his childhood in foster care and was homeless [...]
Former Client Organizes Toy Drive for Shelters
After Housing Assistance helped Ambermae Rivard find housing for her and her young son Matthew, she decided that one day they would find a way to pay it forward. A few years later, she organized a toy drive and ended [...]
Donor Spotlight: Eugenie and Dick Schott
‘We all have a way we can make a difference’ Down a side hallway at the Hyannis headquarters of Housing Assistance, there’s a small room that makes a big difference. Not much larger than a walk-in closet, it contains a variety [...]
A Moving and Inspiring Discussion About ‘Rough Sleepers’
Nearly 500 people turned up for an inspirational discussion of the new book “Rough Sleepers” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder in Woods Hole last month. The book chronicles Dr. Jim O’Connell and his work with people who sleep outside [...]
Shelter Children Find Joy and Sense of Normalcy in Arts Classes
Nearly a dozen children who live at Angel House, a family shelter in Hyannis operated by Housing Assistance, had the opportunity for some summer fun when a local arts organization welcomed them to their classes free of charge. Fashion [...]
HACBeat, August 2023
In this issue: Cover story: Gov. Healey Announces ‘Historic’ Housing Plan During Housing Assistance Visit Donor Spotlight: Bourne United Methodist Church Standing Together to Protect Families – Editorial by Alisa Magnotta Children’s Art Exhibit Carries a Powerful Message Housing Assistance [...]
Groundbreaking Ceremony Honors Longtime Housing Advocate Mary LeClair
Mary LeClair makes a habit of carrying a few small pieces of rose quartz wherever she goes. The stone is considered a sign of universal love, and LeClair gives stones to people she encounters. A long-time champion of housing issues [...]
Housing Assistance Awarded $288,000 in ARPA Funding for Two Innovative Programs
Housing Assistance has been awarded $288,000 for two innovative housing programs that will assist the elderly, disabled people and workers in essential industries. The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners announced the award as part of federal American Rescue Plan [...]
Children’s Art Exhibit Carries a Powerful Message
“Family and friends.” “Joy and happiness.” “My home is the best to me because I feel safe.” Those were some of the responses when we asked second-graders to write and illustrate “what home means to me.” A temporary exhibit of 100 drawings [...]
Standing Together to Protect Families
EDITORIAL BY ALISA MAGNOTTA While most families are enjoying summer break – a time we often think of freedom and fun for children – summer is no vacation for those experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. Each spring, dozens (if not [...]
Donor Spotlight: Bourne United Methodist Church
Bourne Church’s Donation Gives Young Adult Program a Boost When members of the Bourne United Methodist Church planned a fundraising campaign for renovations in 2019, they came up with estimates for repairs to the building’s electrical service, floor and air [...]
Housing Assistance Shares Duffy Award
A Housing Assistance partnership to assist homeless people recently won recognition from Duffy Health Center. Falmouth In From the Streets Partners – a joint effort by Housing Assistance, Belonging to Each Other and Falmouth Human Services – received Duffy’s Community [...]
Leaders and Residents Search for Solutions at Falmouth Town Huddle
A housing crisis equals a labor crisis. That was the theme of the day at the recent Falmouth town huddle of about two dozen residents, community leaders and business owners. “What we hear at the Chamber constantly from our members [...]
Sharing the Gift of Dignity at Oysters and Champagne
Some 200 guests gave generously again this year at the 6th annual Oysters and Champagne fundraiser to benefit Housing Assistance. The theme of the night was how the housing crisis is impacting children and essential workers, and included a special [...]
Your Impact: Fiscal Year 2023
Housing Assistance offers a full continuum of housing programs throughout Cape Cod & the Islands. $2.75 millionRaised in private contributions – a 24% increase from the previous year3,054Donations854Advocates signed up to speak up for housing198,600Cape Codders helped since 1974 [...]
Gov. Healey Announces ‘Historic’ Housing Plan During Housing Assistance Visit
See the highlights of the Governor’s visit in this video. Gov. Maura Healey had the perfect backdrop when she visited Housing Assistance on June 22 to announce her administration’s five-year capital investment plan, which includes $1.5 billion for [...]