A Note from Jay  Preserving Affordable Housing
This past week, the Cape Cod Times ran a compelling series of articles on the lack of affordable housing on Cape Cod. The series shed light on the challenge of creating more affordable homes in our community. Another challenge that rarely receives attention is "How do we preserve the affordable housing stock already in existence?"
Wages determine rent levels for affordable housing. Unfortunately wages for low to moderate income families have been stagnant for years. Yet the cost of managing and maintaining affordable rentals has only increased. Low to moderate families face a similar challenge maintaining a home they own. Insurance, taxes and maintenance all go up, but their incomes do not.
Fortunately two initiatives at the CDP are helping meet these challenges. Our Real Return Initiative has allowed the CDP to rehabilitate our affordable rental housing. Funding for this intiative came from income generated from 264 solar panels, as well as grants from TD Bank, Charles Bank Homes and Seamen's Long Point Charitable Foundation. You can read about the latest completed phase of this project below--the rehabilitation of 7 rentals in Eastham. All these homes are now much more energy efficient--making them more affordable for the residents and less expensive for us to manage.
Our Housing Rehab Program allows us to help low to moderate-income home owners in Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Harwich and Dennis make much needed repairs to their homes. This year, thanks to a Community Development Block Grant, we will help 40 families address deferred maintenance, and make their homes more energy efficient with a forgivable loan of up to $35,000. Over the past 14 years, we have helped over 300 Lower Cape residents make over $6 Million in repairs to preserve affordable housing in the region.
While grant funds are a significant part of this work, none of it could happen without the support we receive from our donors. If you'd like to help support the work we do in affordable housing, I hope you will sponsor one of our walkers participating in this year's Bob Murray Housing with Love Walk, July 13th-19th. Or raise funds for the CDP by walking with us--email Moira to find out more.
As always thank YOU for your interest and support.
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 Safe, Stable & Affordable Housing
Community Effort Pays Off
We had the great pleasure of celebrating the recent completion of rehabilitation and construction work on seven of our affordable rental homes in Eastham. The work was part of our ongoing Real Return Initiative--an initiative aimed at preserving affordable housing, protecting our environment and investing in renewable resources. Much needed new roofing, siding, doors, windows and insulation were installed, along with an energy efficient natural gas furnace in the main house. The work will result in cost savings for the residents, energy conservation and increased affordability of year round housing.
This project was a notable community effort and a number of key supporters helped us to celebrate the milestone, including--Seamen's Long Point Charitable Foundation; Town of Eastham Community Preservation Committee; Town of Eastham Affordable Housing Trust; and Eastham Board of Selectmen.
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Strong Local Businesses
Adding His Touch
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| Artist, Vincent Amicosante
in his gallery |
Artist, Vincent Amicosante has been a presence at the Harmon Gallery since it opened over a decade ago in Wellfleet. For the second season, though, he will be opening the gallery as its owner. While making plans for the seasonal business this past winter, Amicosante recognized he would need financing to kick-start the gallery's 15th season this summer. He worked with our Business & Credit program staff to put together a proposal, and his micro loan request was approved. Giving himself plenty of lead time to prepare for the season, he used the funding for advertising and promotional expenses. Now, in his words, he's "ready to have a successful season selling artist's work and making enough capital to carry though to next season." But his business preparations didn't stop there. Keep Reading.
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A Sustainable Future
Tools to Support Local Fishermen 
For the past seven years we have collaborated with the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust to help support and preserve the local fishing community. The Trust links Cape Cod fishermen with business expertise and financing aimed at sustaining their livelihoods. One of the tools created to support the Trust is the Fish Hub. This online suite of programs has multiple purposes. First, it provides fishermen with a business planning tool built just for fishing businesses. One aspect of the tool, the harvest plan, enables fishermen to target the species and timing of their catch for each fishing year. According to the CDP's Director of Business & Credit Programs, Sheila Hoogeboom, "The Fish Hub's business planning tool has helped the fishermen we work with focus their operations and make important business decisions in advance of the fishing season." But the Fish Hub is more than that. Hoogeboom goes on to say, "The Knowledge Center we developed for the Fish Hub is an extension of our experiences working with local fishermen. We are sharing best practices in community based fisheries management with organizations across the country. And these organizations have been thrilled with this support as they create programs targeted to meet the needs in their own communities." If you'd like to learn more about the Fish Hub, including the Knowledge Center, Click Here.
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There is no better place to watch Provincetown's July 4th Fireworks than from the lawn at Land's End Inn. So make plans to attend our 3rd annual July 4th event. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres start at 7:00 PM. Come and enjoy the beautiful grounds of Land's End Inn and panoramic ocean view far above the Commercial Street crowds. Register Today!
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23rd Annual Bob Murray Housing With Love Walk
July13-19th marks the 23rd Annual Bob Murray Housing With Love Walk. The Walk brings together advocates for affordable housing on Cape Cod to walk from Provincetown to Fal mouth--raising awareness and funds for a dozen housing agencies on the Cape. CDP Staff, Board Members and supporters will be walking from Provincetown to Harwich on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday--July 13th-15th. If you'd like to join us for a morning, an afternoon or all three days, contact Moira. We would be delighted to have you on our team, and help you secure pledges to support the important housing programs at the CDP. Find Out More About the Walk.
With great appreciation to all of the local businesses who are sponsoring our participation in the Walk! Click Here for Full List.
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SCORE Individual Business Counseling
Could your business use some extra guidance? Want to bounce business ideas off of someone? The CDP has arranged with Cape Cod SCORE to offer Individual Business Counseling with SCORE counselors right here in Eastham. Sign up today!
When: Wednesday - August 19th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (1 hour sessions). The July 15th session is currently full, but please contact Pam at 508-240-7873 �18 for if you'd like to be added to the waitlist or to make other arrangements.
More Information: Contact Pam at 508-240-7873 x18 or by email
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Winter Farmers' Market Applications Available
Calling all farmers and food producers! Looking to extend your sales through the winter season? Apply to become a vendor at the 2015 - 2016 Orleans Winter Farmers' Market.
* 10 markets on 1st and 3rd Saturdays from Dec - April
* Vendors selling products that are grown, made, caught or produced by them within Barnstable County are urged to apply
* Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to those who submit a complete application by September 1st
* For details and an application, contact the Community Development Partnership by phone at (508) 240-7873 x10 or by email at [email protected]
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We're Hiring - Two Positions
Fiscal Manager
The Fiscal Manager is a full-time senior position providing day to day bookkeeping and accounting support to the Director of Fiscal & Operations. Read More.Administrative & Office Coordinator
The part-time Administrative & Office Coordinator supports Community Development Partnership operations by maintaining efficient office systems. Read more.
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Housing Rehabilitation Program
Attention homeowners and landlords! Receive up to $35,000 for critical repairs to your home. Repairs include, but are not limited to roofing, heat, windows, siding, septic, lead paint abatement and energy efficiency upgrades.
Get expert assistance on planning the work, choosing a quality contractor, and oversight of the work. Funding is limited and available on a first come first serve basis.  Opportunities in Harwich Center, Dennisport, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown. Don't wait to get involved!
You can find out more at our website or by contacting our Housing Rehab Program Manager, Jean Stanley at (508) 240-7873 x14 or by email. Please help spread the word!
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Affordable Rental Housing
We manage 70 rental homes throughout the Lower Cape. Availability changes on a regular basis. Please contact our Director of Property Management at 508.240.7873 �17 or email [email protected]. if you have questions and for more information. You can also find out more on our website.
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Tune In to This Place Matters
  92.1 WOMR & 91.3 WFMR
Join host Susan Lindquist & her guests for a lunchtime
talk about life on Lower Cape Cod.
June 24th: Local business owners, Nate Church of Outside Cleaners and Darren Wotherspoon of DW Design talk about how they've been working together through the MA Growth Capital Corporation Professional Services grant program.
July 1st: Stephan Brown of Great Cape Herbs discusses the new Brewster Market Day.
July 8th: Hal Minis, President of the Brewster Conservation Trust, shares what's happening on Brewster Conservation Day (July 11th) this year. July 15th: Tammy Venneri of Wicked Thrift joins us to talk about her unique business and how it has grown to include three retail locations. July 22nd: Rob Doane, Chief Business Officer of the Aquaculture Resource Corporation (ARC) in Dennis and Katherine (Kat) Garofoli, Administrator at the Dennis Conservation Trust join us to discuss transition plans, business growth and conservation at ARC.
Click Here to Listen to or Watch Past Shows
If you have an idea for a guest or topic - Contact us
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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