PROVINCETOWN — The conversion of year-round rental property to short-term rentals has played a starring role in the housing crisis here. But it’s not the only player. An Independent analysis […]
Housing
THE HOUSING CRISIS
Towns Look at Numbers to Compare Competing Bids
Tenant income-mix and financing plans are part of the decision
When bids to build affordable housing were opened in the last two weeks, describing plans for the former VFW site in Provincetown and for 95 Lawrence Road in Wellfleet, a […]
THE CRISIS
Year-Round Rental Housing Melts Away as Real Estate Booms
New ideas for preserving existing rental units emerge on Nantucket
PROVINCETOWN — Early in the morning of June 11, seven Provincetown residents received the email that every renter here fears: “It’s been wonderful being your landlord, but I’m getting older […]
INSECURITY
Behind the Housing Crisis, Anxiety
Homeless Prevention Council case managers find ‘no solutions’
EASTHAM — Allie Dubois and her family had been renting their house in Eastham for almost four years when their landlord decided to take advantage of the booming real estate […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Lawrence Road Project Attracts Three Bids
They range from $14.6 million to $20.2 million
WELLFLEET — Three organizations have submitted proposals to build affordable housing at 95 Lawrence Road, with price tags ranging from $14.6 million to $20.2 million. Two are familiar names on […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Three Bidders Offer Proposals for VFW Site
Affordable housing plans range from 46 to 64 units
PROVINCETOWN — Housing Specialist Michelle Jarusiewicz, Town Manager Alex Morse, and Town Planner Thaddeus Soule unsealed the bids from three development companies proposing to build affordable housing at the VFW […]
SHORT-TERM RENTALS
New Tax Yields Windfall, but Not for Housing
Provincetown’s $2 million goes to tourism, stabilization, general funds
PROVINCETOWN — The tax on short-term rentals has generated a financial windfall for the four Outer Cape towns, newly released figures from the state show. The added revenue for the […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Outer Cape Projects Attract Mostly Off-Cape Developers
Provincetown’s CHR will not be bidding, but the CDP joins a proposal
Two large affordable housing projects proposed in Wellfleet and Provincetown have attracted the interest of several off-Cape developers. The Provincetown-based developer Community Housing Resource will not submit proposals for either […]
DUE DILIGENCE
Blasches List Their Endangered House for $5.5 Million
The building that led to house-size limits in Wellfleet’s National Seashore
WELLFLEET — The controversial Blasch house at 1440 Chequessett Neck Road is on the market. Mark and Barbara Blasch, who built it in 2010, are asking $5.5 million for the […]
THE CRISIS
Leaders Issue Call to Action on Housing
Cyr wants ‘a fundamental reimagining of what we are willing to do’
PROVINCETOWN — State Sen. Julian Cyr and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross convened a panel of housing experts last week that focused on what individual towns can […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Lawsuits Stall Habitat Houses in Wellfleet and Truro
Appeals usually fail, but delaying tactic can still kill a project
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, whose efforts are generally welcomed by communities, has been embroiled in court battles for the last several years over plans to build four affordable […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
After 20 Years, 8 Units May Be Built in Wellfleet
The town and abutters settle suit on Paine Hollow project
WELLFLEET — A court fight that has derailed the building of eight affordable rental units on Paine Hollow Road appears to be on the verge of resolution. Lawyers for the […]
HOUSING
‘Barracks’ Dormitory Proposal Could Get a Vote Thursday
Patrick’s project aims for 112 seasonal beds, 16 year-round rentals
PROVINCETOWN — The planning board will again consider Patrick Patrick’s seasonal worker dormitory proposal at its meeting on Thursday, June 10 and could offer a final clearance that would allow […]
THE HOUSING CHALLENGE, PART 2
The Complex Funding Behind Affordable Units
All agree that no one is getting rich building them
One of the reasons so few developers are interested in building affordable housing on the Outer Cape is the extreme complexity of funding such projects. Another reason: the profits are […]
FRAUD ALERT
Online Rental Scam Targets the Desperate
Craigslist users are victimized, with no recourse
WELLFLEET — Gordon Kahn had spent an entire day searching online for an apartment for his daughter when he found a cute cottage on Craigslist. The 14 interior and exterior […]
