FILE PHOTO.
Cape Cod Chamber CEO Wendy Northcross and others bend their arms to display the shape of the Cape.
BARNSTABLE – Results were announced this morning from a major survey on why young people are leaving the Cape.
The survey results were not a big surprise.
The Shape the Cape Survey showed that a lack of job opportunities and affordable housing top the list of the reasons why the Cape has lost about 8,500 people between the ages of 25 and 44 over the past ten years.
The survey was commissioned by the Cape Cod Young Professionals, known as CCYP. The group’s president Anne Van Vleck explained the survey was a way to get data about the exodus of young people.
CCYP is planning to address the survey results with a number of initiatives.
Among those is an effort to liaison with banks and legislators to expand the first time homebuyer programs that already exist but that have long wait lists.
CCYP is also planning to start a mentoring program. At the CCYP breakfast held at the Cape Codder this morning, the Massachusetts Secretary for Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bielecki announced a $50,000 grant would go to CCYP to start the mentoring program.
Van Vleck said CCYP also wants to get more young people involved in civic affairs, including attending town meetings and serving on municipal boards.
