YARMOUTH – Cape Cod residents looking to learn more about the current state of housing gathered on Thursday at a Housing Forum hosted by Age-Friendly Yarmouth.
The event, held at the Yarmouth Senior Center, included presentations, breakout sessions and a panel with a focus on how to maximize current infrastructure while planning ahead to develop strategies for expanding housing availability and affordability.
“There is a level of frustration regarding access to quality housing on the Cape,” said Mary Waygan with the Town of Yarmouth’s Community Development Department. “It’s not just about the affordable piece, it’s also the safe and decent.”
Presenters at the event included Ryan Castle with the Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS, Yarmouth Building Commissioner Mark Grylls and Wendy Ohlson with the Yarmouth Housing Authority.
“I think the people here are getting a lot out of this forum, I think it is a wonderful project that’s sort of an age-friendly initiative here in Yarmouth,” said Mark Forest, the Board Chair for Housing Assistance Corporation. “I think this is serving the town and the other communities very well.”
Residents heard from Yarmouth town staff about the current status of housing in town and were given more information about what services and housing options are currently available.
“The community needs to get engaged, so when any of these housing forums or transportation forums or caregiving forums happen anywhere on Cape Cod, the people themselves need to come forward,” said Kathy Baily, the Director of Aging Services for the Town of Yarmouth. “They need to learn, they need to participate and we can build a better Cape Cod if we can do it together.”
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
