e else to go had walked in. erved a hotel room for him and ansported him there.
When brutal winter weather hit Cape Cod, the Housing Assistance team was ready While several unhoused people died from exposure in other parts of Massachusetts, that was not the case on Cape Cod, thanks to quick-response work by Housing Assistance and its partners.
The state’s biggest snowstorm in four years landed on January 24 and for three weeks after, nighttime temperatures were well below freezing, often in single digits.
“When we saw the forecast, we implemented a ‘no one sleeps outside’ rule for the storm, and worked through the weekend implementing it,” said Tim Regan, assistant director of individual homeless services.
“As a result, anyone who called and needed a hotel room got one, and we were able to work with towns to create an option for them when they ran into someone who needed shelter. The police departments in Harwich, Falmouth, Bourne and Sandwich all took advantage of this to get people placed.”
Regan said he got a call late that Saturday evening when the warming center in Falmouth was about to close.
Regan doesn’t like to think about what would have happened without the quick response. “There were people in those hotel rooms who would’ve been outside all night, with nowhere to go, nowhere to heat up,” he said. “We have lost people in the past due to extreme cold. It’s tragic. One hundred percent, I believe that of the 19 people we were able to put in hotels, we saved some lives.”
One hundred percent, I believe that of the 19 people we were able to put in hotels, we saved some lives.
– Tim Regan
Assistant director of individual homeless services
Regan praised the efforts of special projects manager Shannon Tracy and outreach specialist Stephane Ruault, who collaborated with partners from the St. Joseph’s House shelter, Duffy Health Center’s In From the Streets program, and the Belonging to Each Other program in Falmouth.
Continued on page 7
Photo from NBC News
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Cape
Cod 5: ‘It’s completely changed from how it was a couple of decades ago’
When Housing Assistance completed its multi-year, $5 million capital campaign last year, Cape Cod 5 was among the key supporters, with a donation of $100,000
“At Cape Cod 5, we see how the housing crisis affects both families and local businesses big and small,” said Bert Talerman, president of Cape Cod 5 “Through this campaign, we are helping to make sure that Cape Cod remains a place where families can continue to put down roots, contribute to the local economy and build their lives for years to come ”
Pointing to the sharp rise in housing prices since 2020, Talerman said the upside is an increased demand for service industry workers, including those in construction, the trades, and landscaping. “All of that is a plus for many, but at the same time, many of these businesses need year-round employees, and people find it increasingly hard to find and afford housing.
“When I first started working here, folks who commuted from the other side of the bridge onto the Cape to work, especially to work in the mid-Cape, were an anomaly. These days, people who commute over the bridge from Plymouth, Middleborough, and the south coast – that’s extremely common. That has completely changed from how it was a couple of decades ago.”
Cape Cod 5 has a long history of supporting Housing Assistance.
“Across the region, there’s a lot of support among business owners for housing that their employees can attain and maintain so that they can have a dependable workforce,” he said.
“Housing Assistance does a fine job with a whole range of services, whether it’s homebuyer education, homeowner counseling, housing-related counseling, developing housing, managing housing and ensuring that there are options in housing. Housing Assistance is an important part of that landscape. It’s an organization that
reaches many parts of our community Based on the size and scale of what they do and the quality of leadership, it’s a good place for us to put our support.”
Continued on page 11
Promoting Accessible Housing
Cape Cod 5’s efforts to support housing are directed a number of ways, according to Emilie Bajorek, senior vice president and managing director for community engagement and communications. She shared details about several of the bank’s initiatives.
Community Banking: Offering products and services that help members of our community finance housing, both the purchase (first time homebuyer programs) and creation (ADU loans, commercial loans for employee/workforce housing).
Corporate Leadership & Volunteerism:
Team members are actively involved with organizations or in projects that are making a difference in this area.
Financial Know-How: Offering budgeting seminars, first-time homebuyer education, and planning tools to assist individuals and families.
Philanthropy: Supporting organizations making a positive impact in the areas of affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and emergency support.
Progress,
but with a long way to go.
Winter has a way of bringing urgency to housing challenges. For us, the cold months bring into sharp focus the steady loss of year-round housing on the Cape and the growing number of neighbors who are just one unexpected setback away from losing housing stability.
This winter has already been volatile and strenuous. Since the first big snowstorm in late January, our outreach teams have worked tirelessly to help approximately 20 homeless individuals find safe winter solutions. Every single person who called in need of shelter was placed. We have housed many in hotel rooms across the Cape and connected others with partner programs We are currently supporting more clients than at any point last winter
We all know why the Cape’s housing crisis exists There are two-bedrooms on the Cape renting for $3,200; the median sale price is nearly $800,000 To make rent or a mortgage payment, households need to earn $200,000 per year
That reality puts stable housing out of reach for the people who make the Cape run – our teachers, public safety professionals, and hospitality workers – and older residents living on fixed incomes Because this is untenable for so many, Housing Assistance works to fill in the gaps
In 2025, we worked across the full spectrum of housing to help our homeless and vulnerable neighbors secure a safe place to live We focused on creating new ownership and rental opportunities and welcomed families into 95 new homes in Bourne, Orleans and Mashpee In Hyannis, we moved into a modern headquarters to make way for our partners at Catholic Charities and Duffy Health Center to relocate St Joseph’s House shelter to a larger, more accessible space in our former offices We also opened the Cape’s first transitional housing for youth and young adults at the former Angel House in Hyannis In Dennis, we consolidated three family shelters into the Family Empowerment Center, with a capacity to house up to 79 families with children
We have begun construction on Cornerstone Hyannis, a homeownership project on Stevens Street in Hyannis that will bring 50 brand new condominiums to the market, with income restrictions geared toward buyers who are earning 100 to 120 percent of the area median income
With all of this progress, we still have a long way to go. We recently conducted a lottery for 14 affordable units that we developed in Orleans. There were over 500 applicants; only three percent had their number drawn for a home. The other 97 percent had to hope and dream that they would have better luck next time.
This is why your support matters so deeply Your partnership allows us to respond to the urgent needs in our community while continuing to build toward lasting solutions – from new development to smart policy efforts – that expand year-round housing opportunities
At the policy level, we are supporting modest changes in the zoning code to allow for small-scale yet effective additions to the housing supply Efforts are underway in Falmouth and Orleans to revise zoning regulations in denser town centers to allow expanded housing options More Cape towns need to do the same
Sewer installation is also very important Towns on the Cape are now adding sewer systems, and this not only removes contaminants from our soil and our waterways but also provides the capacity for slightly denser housing than that afforded by septic systems
We will continue to be an outspoken advocate for the creation of more housing on the Cape and look forward to sharing more about the priorities that will guide our work with the release of our upcoming Strategic Plan
We won’t rest until everyday Cape residents can afford a decent place to live
With gratitude
Alisa Magnotta, CEO
Community Comes Through to Give Hope
It was a heartwarming event on a cold December day when people from across Cape Cod came to Housing Assistance to donate to the Give Hope Where You Live campaign. Supporters dropped off winter clothing and gift cards for food to help bring comfort to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. These contributions made an immediate difference, while also supporting our homeless outreach team throughout the year.
Maureen Manning and Marie Duggan, both of Yarmouthport, came with $4,140 in gift cards contributed by Bray Farm Book Group and four other book clubs. “We have so much goodness in our lives and there’s so much that’s not good in the world,” said Duggan. “It’s important to help somebody else when we can.” Manning said their book group began a connection to Housing Assistance by supporting the Angel House family shelter in 2008. “We got so much joy out of doing that that we wanted to see if other groups wanted to join us.”
Representing The Cape and Islands United Way, Jackie Barber presented dozens of children’s winter coats donated by the United Way and Puritan Cape Cod. “These gifts will go a long way to make sure children and families who need a little extra help will stay warm this winter,” said Catherine Clark, Housing Assistance’s Vice President of Community Engagement.
Other longtime supporters who helped this year’s campaign include Kelli Dottridge of Osterville, who has organized donation drives for eight years. She dropped off two huge bags of gloves and scarves. Another annual donor, the Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS®, delivered dozens of “welcome home” baskets filled with bedding, cookware and other items that will help for Housing Assistance clients moving from a shelter to transitional or permanent housing get started in their new homes.
“This is one of our favorite annual events and we are so grateful to everyone who contributed,” said Housing Assistance CEO.
While the holidays are a time that we are acutely aware of the needs of others, the needs of the individuals and families we serve last throughout the year. That’s why our Give Hope Where You Live campaign will now be a year-long giving opportunity, with benchmark events throughout the year.
To learn more about how to become involved in this meaningful initiative, visit: haconcapecod.org/get-involved/donating-items f p ) Clark and Patty Mitrokostas of Housing Assistance and Jackie Barber of the United Way with donated children’s winter coats. 2) Kelli Dottridge draws upon her network to make and collect clothing for Housing Assistance clients 3) Welcome Home baskets help create new starts for clients moving into secure housing.
Donors’ ‘Extraordinary Response’ Fuels Future Work
Near the end of the year, Tracy LaBonte, Housing Assistance’s director of philanthropy, called a donor to thank him for his $100 gift.
He lives in an apartment in Orleans, but six years ago he was experiencing homelessness and called Housing Assistance for help, which we were able to provide. Since then, he has stretched his budget so he could make a $100 donation every year. He told LaBonte that he is committed to continuing his support because he believes in the work we do. “It left me in tears,” she said. “That gift feels like a million dollars.”
Many donors expressed their generosity in meaningful ways during the holiday season. Our 2025 Double Your Impact campaign far exceeded its $100,000 goal, raising $171,286. The Hermann Foundation and Rockland Trust funded generous matching gifts that ensured that every dollar given to the campaign will go twice as far.
“This extraordinary response means more stability, more opportunity, and more hope for our neighbors,” said CEO Alisa Magnotta.
In 2025 alone, Housing Assistance served 9,000 households – neighbors, children, and families who are part of the fabric of our community. Together, we deliver real, peoplecentered solutions that go beyond one-time help to create lasting paths to housing stability and stronger communities for thousands of locals each year.
“As we turn the page to a new year, housing remains at the heart of our hopes for the future,” said Magnotta. “A safe home is where children grow, families heal, and neighbors put down roots. Because of our supporters, we enter 2026 with momentum – and with confidence that together, we can continue building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.”
The Philanthropy team saw a 33% increase in year-over-year donations for the month of December, raising $464,000 compared to $348,000 the previous year. These unrestricted gifts go directly toward supporting the important programs and services that Housing Assistance provides.
Several people shared notes with the donations that will inspire the Housing Assistance team in the months ahead.
“Wish that donation had four zeros after the 50,” one wrote. “You guys continue to do amazing work.”
“We are so grateful to you and your organization for all you do for the people in need on the Cape,” wrote another. “Keep up the good work and God bless. You will have our continued support in the future!”
These stories of generosity remind us that lasting change is built through compassion and community. The investment and encouragement of our supporters inspire our team and enable Housing Assistance to advance innovative housing solutions for our region, while continuing to say yes to the core work of our programs. Because of this shared commitment, more of our neighbors can find stability, security and opportunity in a place to call home.
To learn more about how you can support Housing Assistance, visit haconcapecod.org/ways-to-give
Young Clients Get a Fresh Start at Shared House
Housing Assistance’s Youth & Young Adult (YYA) program supports unaccompanied youth between the ages of 16 to 24 who need stable and secure housing accommodations or are assessed as being in “at-risk” housing situations. When families from Angel House in Hyannis moved to the Family Empowerment Center in Dennis last year, the property was converted to support g housing instability a soft place to land. Eight residents are assisted ult program manager and si YYA clients shared th
Danielle aka “Dani,” age 19
“I was born and raised on Cape My dad passed away when I was one, so it was just my mom and my siblings I have two older sisters and a little brother When I was in sixth grade, we were evicted from our house and that’s when DCF [the Mass Department of Children and Families] put us into foster care I was in foster care from then until I signed myself out at 18
Lemar, age 21
“I’ve lived on Cape Cod my whole life I was living with my mom and my dad My older brother wasn’t around, so I didn’t really have a relationship with him My mom and my dad argued a lot It was hard to be in that kind of environment, especially at an age when I was learning a lot about myself and who I was as a person They didn’thave time for me or weren’t making time
“It was mostly quick placements Sometimes it was eight months and sometimes a couple of weeks The longest I had was with Diane, who I still call my guardian She's like family to me I was with her starting in 2022 My little brother lives with her
“I was in a car accident in November 2024 It was very bad and I wasn’t walking for months That’s when my guardian and I started to butt heads I reached out to my social worker and told her that I didn’t think I could stay there any longer She got me in touch with a housing counselor at Housing Assistance, which is how I got here
“After I moved out, my relationship with Diane got better My brother lives there, and I see him a lot I work at an inn right now It’s my fourth year working there
“I love this house Instead of moving out on my own completely in my own apartment, it’s a good thing to be with people like me All of us get along and we haven’t really had any issues
“I’m taking classes at Four C’s [Cape Cod Community College] I’m still undecided [on a major], but I’ve been thinking about studying sociology and then becoming a social worker at prisons or mental hospitals I feel like everyone deserves someone to talk to I want to be someone’s comforting space I want to help people ”
“Starting when I was 11, I was very depressed and I ended up in a few mental hospitals DCF got involved because my parents weren’t watching after me I ended up being in foster programs for three years from 15 to 18 until I signed myself out The first one was 45 days, and then I went for nine months and then two years After that, I wanted to go to college, that was my big goal I went to college and I was there for a year and a half, but it was not the best place for me at that time
“I left school I was nervous to go back and live with my mom because I haven’t been there in a long time and she was just worse I ended up living with my friends I was still speaking with my DCF worker and told her I needed my own space where I could settle down and start over
“I worked at a veterinary office before and now I work at a doggy daycare I’ve always wanted to be a vet, and now I feel like I’m in a better space to accomplish that Being here is giving me a good opportunity to have my own space and work on my goals My mom still lives in Hyannis, so I’m trying to work through that relationship, but I’m glad to be here
“Shon is a nice dude He’s very understanding of our situation He’s able to talk to us and in a way that isn’t overbearing He’s strict, but in a nice way, and very supportive He’s always here for us I can text or call him if I have any questions or anything I need It’s good to know that people care about your situation and are here for you ”
Repeat Recognition: A ‘Top Place to Work’ Again
For the second year in a row, Housing Assistance earned a spot on The Boston Globe’s “Top Places to Work” list in the medium-size employer category. Once again, we joined a group of employers that were recognized for their workplace culture and efforts to foster an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and appreciated.
“We’re thrilled that Housing Assistance has been recognized as a special place to work,” said Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta. “We’re proud of our incredible team – and the joy, care and dedication they bring to our mission every day. It takes a special group of people to dedicate their life's work to helping others, many of whom they’ll never even meet. Every member of our team contributes to our mission in their own way and in turn, has a positive impact in our community.”
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 Globe said more than 120,000 Massachusetts employees were surveyed for this year’s list. The workers rated their employers on leadership, values, training, benefits and other metrics.
WINTER WEATHER, from cover
“They went above and beyond all weekend,” he said “Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we had a procedure we could follow For those without anywhere to go, we had solutions ”
The number of Housing Assistance’s outreach clients has increased significantly this year, said Ann Marie Peters, director of individual homeless services “At a recent Emergency Winter Response meeting, several agencies reported similar increases,” she said “There are waitlists for the shelter and the In From the Streets program, which has led other social service providers to step up and place individuals in hotels Stephane and Shannon have done an excellent job working with our partners to ensure that the folks they encounter are placed ” If you would like to support this kind of work, visit haconcapecod.org/ways-to-give
Regan recalled that some days when he was getting ready to drive to work, it physically hurt to be outside because it was so cold “Imagine trying to sleep through that,” he said “We couldn’t take a chance If there was anybody that we knew that was outside that weekend or the frigid days after that, we were going to get them inside and keep them inside until the conditions started to let up ”
When a blizzard hit the area in late February, the team put in another all-out effort This lifesaving work reflects the value of unrestricted grants and donations from across our community, which can be used when immediate needs arise
The Housing Assistance team celebrated its recent recognition at a holiday party.
Therapy Dog Visit Brings Joy to Family Shelter
Salty Paws Therapy Dogs is a local group that brings trained canines to offer comfort and companionship at elementary schools, assisted living residences and the Cape Cod Alzheimer’s Family Support Center. They recently visited Housing Assistance’s Family Empowerment Center in Dennis
“The children, the dogs, the humans with the dogs –everyone had a blast,” said Cassi Danzl, chief operating officer for Housing Assistance “At the end of the visit, we knew we wanted to do it again ”
The therapy dogs were at the shelter for about 90 minutes “It was time when the families didn’t have to think about everything that is going on in their lives,” said Danzl “The parents could relax and see their kids smiling and just have a moment outside of the norm The children were excited for the weeks leading up to it, and they had a great time ”
Salty Paws was connected to the Family Empowerment Center through one of the group’s volunte Bogdanovich, the wife of Housing Assistan Bogdanovich The couple has a 4-year-old Ranga (an Icelandic word that means beau person) who is one of the group’s 22 dog m
“We do this because we all have wonderfu share them,” said Sherry Bogdanovich “W hospitals and nursing homes and the react
The group brought eight dogs to the Family Empowerment Center, and they were an instant hit. The group’s volunteers started by offering guidance on how to interact with the animals (don’t run toward the dogs, for example)
“Once the rules were laid out, there was lots of tail wagging and smiling and some screams of joy,” said Danzl “The kids had a blast We didn’t get into all the tricks that the dogs could do on the first visit because the kids were super excited and all they wanted to do was pet the dogs Both the dogs and the kids were loving the interaction I believe the next time they plan on bringing some tunnels and hula-hoops and doing a few tricks That will be fun There was one big dog that weighs 180 pounds When the families saw him, their faces just lit up, and that alone made the whole thing worth getting together ”
“It was wonderful,” Bogdanovich agreed “The kids had so
Left: Sherry Bogdanovich offers guidance on how to interact with the dogs. Right: Salty Paws photo op!
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Finance: Making Sure the Numbers Add Up
In a mission-driven organization, the Finance Department is more than numbers, according to Marc Haslbeck, Housing Assistance’s chief financial officer “It’s the engine that ensures every dollar advances impact, sustains programs, and supports the people we serve,” he said
The team’s responsibilities are varied and include ensuring that incoming funds from fundraising, grants, and rental income are properly tracked and that our vendors are paid on time Analytical and process improvement efforts, as well as billing, invoicing, and payroll-related analysis fall under the domain of the finance department
About 65 percent of Housing Assistance’s revenues fall under the umbrella of program fees and reimbursements, Program services account for just over 90 percent of expenditures For example, Housing Assistance administers federal and state housing vouchers across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, providing stable, predictable housing costs for more than 900 households and supporting 650 property owners These subsidies return over $12 million to the local economy each year, helping landlords cover mortgages and enabling members of our workforce to remain in the region
Real estate services fees and rental income account for about 15 percent of revenues Housing Assistance’s Residential Property Management Team maintains a portfolio of over 100 rental units across Cape Cod, including single family homes, condo units, duplexes, and apartment complexes Cape Cod Real Estate, a division of Housing Assistance, assists over 20 firsttime home buyers to navigate closings each year
Another vital revenue source, accounting for 20 percent of revenues, is private funders, including grants The finance team has an important role in ensuring that funds are used according to the donors' wishes
Keeping track of all the numbers is a team effort While computer files have replaced filing cabinets, the digital paperwork the department contends with is challenging “When you work with government entities, there is bureaucracy involved and a lot of paperwork,” he said “If you receive federal funding or state funding, there are reporting requirements and audit requirements that have to meet stipulated criteria ”
Haslbeck joined Housing Assistance in July, bringing fresh perspective and leadership to the department Jane Hammond, who served as Interim CFO and was with Housing Assistance for over 20 years, retired in January Haslbeck said she was instrumental in passing along key institutional knowledge to him
Haslbeck is focused on financial reporting, budgeting, and collaborating closely with other departments, the executive team, and the board “Finance is a strong, capable team that plays a vital role in supporting HAC’s mission and operations,” he said
Left: CEO Alisa Magnotta toasting Jane Hammond at her retirement celebration Right: CFO Marc Haslbeck
Transformed Cataumet Site
Is ‘A Huge Success’
During its 20-plus years as a shelter, the Village at Cataumet provided shelter for hundreds of families, as many as 19 filling its rooms at any given time. When Housing Assistance consolidated its family shelters into a new facility in Dennis last year, it was an opportunity to repurpose the property in Cataumet, which was originally constructed as a motel.
After some sprucing up, the Cataumet buildings reopened last summer with 18 units of furnished housing. The first clients started moving into the complex in June, with more coming over the course of the summer.
The new program at Cataumet was something that had been talked about for years, as a way to add more space for permanent supportive housing, according to Ann Marie Peters, director of individual homeless services, who is now in her 25th year with Housing Assistance. Residents receive case management and support services.
“We’ve placed individual clients into their own units,” she said. “They are from various backgrounds. Some came directly from the street, some came from a transitional program, but either way, they’re now in their own space and take a lot of pride in their space and in the shared congregate areas.”
The renovated kitchen is a popular gathering spot, as is a barbecue area. “We tried to be very thoughtful about what would make the transition easier for these folks,” said Peters. “For people who were living on the street or sharing a room or coming from a shelter, it can be a difficult transition because they’re going from a space where they were interacting with some other people to living by themselves. We had to think about how to make sure that they weren’t isolating and that they were going to be successful here.”
Engaging with other residents is encouraged. The kitchen has a coffee station where people can come in, grab a cup of coffee and say hi to a neighbor. Several tenants made a Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who was interested.
“Little things mean a lot to them,” said Peters. “They’ve been very appreciative of the thoughtfulness that went into the redesign to make the transition easier for them.
“They are grateful for having a roof over their head and having people care about them. It’s been a huge success. It really is a special program.”
SUNDAY May 31st
An aerial view of the transformed Cataumet site.
Talerman was a member of Housing Assistance’s capital campaign steering committee
“Based on our overall commitment to the region and to the importance of diverse types of housing options and choices in the marketplace and the work that Housing Assistance does to support that, it was a privilege to be asked to be part of that effort.”
Housing Assistance gratefully acknowledges Cape Cod 5 for their continued partnership, generosity, and belief in the work we do for our community.
To learn more about Cape Cod 5 and other Annual Sponsors’ contributions to Housing Assistance, visit haconcapecod.org/ways-to-give/annual-sponsorships
Upcoming Virtual Classes and Workshops
Money Matters
Free two-night workshop that will help you set financial goals, make a spending plan and identify ways to create an emergency fund.
March 24 and 26
April 27 and 29
May 19 and 21
June 2 and 4
Overview of the homebuying process Topics include money management, mortgage loan programs, insurance and more First-time Homebuyer
April 7, 9 and 14
May 12 and 16
June 9, 11 and 16
First Steps Toward Homeownership
This class provides an overview of what it means to be “mortgage ready” and offers an opportunity to selfassess what steps you need to take to get there.
March 30
April 21
May 27
June 30
HomeSafe
Fulfills the post-purchase education requirements and provides a forum to share experiences with other homeowners
June 6
Learn more and register at haconcapecod org/programservices/education-and-housing-counseling
