(Hyannis, MA) – Housing Assistance Corporation is celebrating 45 years of community impact this year with a calendar of activities that encourage everyone to get involved in creating housing solutions for our year-round community.
“When we help our year-round residents, we help our communities thrive,” said Alisa Magnotta Galazzi, CEO of Housing Assistance. “One thing we have learned over the years is that our region has a shortage of housing. Today, even people with good jobs struggle to achieve stable housing. The good news is that we can solve this problem as a community.” Housing Assistance remains committed to helping the homeless and the region’s most vulnerable residents. In addition, the agency’s services have expanded to encompass adding housing inventory and services to support the region’s year-round workforce. “If we provide enough attainable housing for the people who work here to live here, then our local economy becomes stronger with reliable, affordable year-round workers who are also customers for our year-round businesses,” Galazzi added. As Housing Assistance began the year-long celebration of its 45th Anniversary, the nonprofit invited three stakeholders to be Investors of Building Community & Hope by making a commitment to the agency’s Housing Legacy Fund of $15,000 each. New in 2018, the Housing Legacy Fund is managed by the Cape Cod Foundation and will be invested by the Foundation to generate income for Housing Assistance’s mission. Two of the three investment opportunities are spoken for: one by David and Missy McGraw of the Donald C. McGraw Foundation and the second by an anonymous family foundation. There is one community investor opportunity remaining for $15,000.
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank has stepped up as the Keystone Investor by matching the total investments of $45,000. “Cape Cod Five is committed to supporting stable, attainable housing in our region and supporting Housing Assistance is a great way for us to achieve that goal. Housing Assistance has a history of providing housing as a foundation to grow our economy and to help individuals reach their goals,” said Dorothy Savarese, President and CEO of Cape Cod Five.
Housing Assistance’s Community Investors and annual sponsors will be honored at a celebration on Wednesday, May 8, at the Cape Cinema and Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis. The event will showcase milestones from throughout the organization’s history and honor a Lifetime Benefactor, Human Services Partner of the Year, and Business of the Year. Tickets are available at www.haconcapecod.org/45thcelebration.
Everyone can get involved in supporting better housing opportunities for year-rounders. To foster greater community engagement, Housing Assistance is offering free Housing Advocacy trainings for Cape residents in March. These trainings cover the basics of our region’s housing crisis; outline how housing policy decisions are made; and provide examples of how citizens can become involved in supporting
smarter housing solutions. There are many ways people can join Housing Assistance to help our most vulnerable neighbors and support a strong year-round community, including:
* Register for Cape Housing Advocacy Training at Mashpee Town Hall on Monday, March 18, 5:30-8:30 pm, at www.capehousinginstitute.org.
* If you have a seasonal rental, Housing Assistance’s Rent 365 program offers a $1,000 incentive for landlords to convert their home into a year-round lease. The program also provides additional landlord and tenant support. Visit www.capehousing.org for more information.
* Volunteer at one of Housing Assistance’s family shelters, in their office, or at an upcoming event by emailing volunteer@haconcapecod.org.
* Join one of Housing Assistance’s 2019 events which can be found at www.haconcapecod.org/hac-events.
45th Anniversary Celebration (Wednesday, May 8, 2019) Joun Housing Assistance at the Cape Cod Museum of Art and Cape Cinema as the agency celebrates 45 years of building strong, vibrant communities and hope. The anniversary celebration will bring Housing Assistance staff, supporters, and the community together to celebrate the rich history of this impactful agency, and look toward the future of what they can accomplish together.
Walk for Hope (Sunday, June 2, 2019) Join HAC staff, volunteers, supporters, and donors in a traditional walk-a-thon to raise awareness of the housing problems facing Cape Cod while raising funds to prevent homelessness and to keep families and individuals in their homes.
Oysters & Champagne (Thursday, July 11, 2019) This elegant evening gives guests an opportunity to taste locally-grown oysters paired with complimentary sparkling beverages at the Wequassett Resort in Harwich. Join us as we celebrate the agency's work in a beautiful setting overlooking Pleasant Harbor.
Barnstable Big Fix-A-Thon (Saturday, October 5, 2019) The Big Fix is held annually each fall in one town on Cape Cod. Volunteers raise funds and donate their time to make small home improvements for local veterans, seniors and disabled homeowners. In 2019, the 10th Annual Big Fix will be returning to Barnstable which hosted the inaugural Big Fix in 2010.
Telethon for HOPE: Give-a-thon (Thursday, December 12, 2019) The Telethon for HOPE is a major annual fundraiser to support Housing Assistance’s programs and services. The telethon will be broadcast live from the Cape Cod Community Media Center with appearances from clients, program directors and community leaders. Concurrently, Housing Assistance will hold a Give-a-Thon & Viewing Party at Cape Cod Beer with a goal to reach people through social media and encourage others to share, comment, and most importantly, to give.
About Housing Assistance Corporation
Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) is a 45-year-old nonprofit based in Hyannis, whose mission is to ensure that all on Cape Cod and the Islands have a safe place to live. HAC operates four family homeless
shelters; develops affordable housing; oversees Section 8 vouchers for the region; conducts foreclosure and reverse mortgage counseling; holds educational workshops for first-time homebuyers and those
looking to rebuild their credit; and keeps residents in their homes through its homelessness prevention program. Visit www.HAConCapeCod.org to learn more.