Housing Assistance Closes in on $5 Million Capital Campaign with Goal to Address Cape Cod Housing Crisis

Housing Assistance, a Cape and Islands nonprofit focused on addressing housing insecurity for residents, is nearing the close of its $5 million capital campaign to complete nine housing developments serving 575 people. Launched in November 2023, the campaign has reached 99% of its goal.

Contributions from more than 140 dedicated supporters have been received to date. The capital campaign will enable Housing Assistance to deliver over 200 new affordable housing units across Cape Cod, adding to nearly 600 homes already created.

The campaign was highlighted by a lead gift of $1.5 million from Cape Cod Healthcare, including a new $500,000 investment that was announced at the agency’s 2025 premier fundraising event, Oysters & Champagne. The initial $1 million investment was pledged at last year’s fundraiser.

“We are so grateful to Cape Cod Healthcare for its ongoing partnership and support, as well as this incredibly generous gift,” said Alisa Magnotta, CEO of Housing Assistance. “The leadership of Cape Cod Healthcare, the largest employer in Barnstable County, knows how vital housing is to its workforce and to the region’s overall health. When people have a safe place to live, they are more likely to stay healthy – and when health care workers can live near their jobs, they can provide superior care to their patients.”

“Housing is a regional problem that affects every sector, and in health care, we see the impact of this crisis on recruitment and retention of the people who care for our communities,” said Housing Assistance Board Chairman and Broad Reach Healthcare President & CEO Bill Bogdanovich. “Cape Cod Healthcare’s tremendous investment in Housing Assistance shows that it takes all of us stepping up to make sure that we have adequate affordable housing.”

The campaign has also drawn support from other community and business leaders.

“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.”

“We have been talking about this problem for 30 years and it has only gotten more urgent,” said Tony Shepley, President of Shepley Wood Products and Co-Chair of the Housing Assistance Steering Committee. “Many of our employees at Shepley Wood Products live across the bridges because they cannot afford housing here on Cape Cod. It has been a pleasure to be part of a campaign that is about turning talk into action.”

The $5 million campaign will lead to the completion of housing developments in Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Falmouth, Orleans and Mashpee while also seeding a revolving fund that gives Housing Assistance the flexibility to start new projects before other funding is secured. This fund will accelerate groundbreakings, sustain momentum across the housing development pipeline, and, as projects are reimbursed, be reinvested for future use. In addition, the organization is expanding its housing development and property management capacity to meet the varied housing needs of Cape Codders.

About Housing Assistance

Housing Assistance has provided a spectrum of services to help our homeless and vulnerable neighbors secure a safe, stable place to call home since 1974. These programs and services include homeless outreach, family shelters, rental vouchers, affordable housing development, energy efficiency programs, and first-time homebuyer support. Housing Assistance also works to address the root causes of housing instability – lack of inventory and lack of affordability – that affect almost all income levels in our region. To learn more, visit www.haconcapecod.org.