DENNIS – An organization that works to ensure everyone on Cape Cod and the Islands has a safe and stable place to live will celebrate 45 years Wednesday evening in Dennis.
Housing Assistance Corporation’s 45th Anniversary Celebration is at the Cape Cinema beginning at 5 p.m.
HAC staff, supporters and the community will gather to celebrate the agency’s history while looking forward to the future.
The event will include a presentation by CEO Alisa Galazzi, community investor recognition and awards celebration.
A cocktail reception will follow at the Cape Cod Museum of Art.
Galazzi said while doing research for the agency’s 45th anniversary she found press clippings from 45 years ago which had headlines that could still be used today.
“It’s about the shortage of housing, the need for workforce housing, the glut in the market for seasonal rentals and not enough year-round housing,” Galazzi said.
Galazzi said what is different now is that Cape Cod has reached a critical mass.
“There are more people impacted and more people aware of what’s happening,” Galazzi said. “We have potential now for change and movement.”
Galazzi said the region needs different kinds of housing that is affordable for the types of jobs on Cape Cod.
“It’s looking at affordability in the market place and having housing for the different housing levels,” Galazzi said.
She said it will take a community effort to make the change that is needed.
“It is going to take other employers and other businesses and community leaders helping us,” Galazzi said.
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank recently stepped up as a Keystone Investor for HAC by matching total investments of $45,000.
Cape Cod Five’s First Executive Vice President Bert Talerman said we need more diversity in housing options on Cape Cod.
“Single-family homes aren’t right for everybody,” he said. “Acre and two-acre zoning isn’t the answer to all types of housing. You need different choices in housing in the right place at the right time.”
Other HAC events throughout the year include the Walk for Hope on June 2; Oysters & Champagne on July 11; the Big-Fix-A-Thon on October 5 and the Telethon for HOPE: Give-A-Thon on December 12.
HAC operates four family homeless shelters, develops affordable housing, oversees Section 8 vouchers, conducts foreclosure and reverse mortgage counseling, holds educational workshops for first-time homebuyers and keeps residents in their homes through a homelessness prevention program.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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