Bourne, MA- Construction has begun on a new affordable housing development that will serve low- income households on Cape Cod, including individuals who are disabled. There will be a local preference in the lottery used to select renters for initial occupancy set to begin next year. Local preference includes current residents of the Town of Bourne, municipal employees, employees of local businesses, or households with children attending the community’s schools.
The 3-story Cape View Way development is a partnership between POAH and Housing Assistance that will offer a with a mix of nine one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, and five three-bedroom apartments. Three apartments will be fully handicapped-accessible and a fourth will be accessible to sensory-impaired residents. Twenty-six apartments will be available to residents earning 60% of the area median income (AMI) with 16 units subsidized for residents at 30% of AMI.
Cape View Way is well-located near Route 6 and a Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CRTA) bus stop, providing convenient access to transit, employment, and services. The property’s final design was the result of a lengthy public process which included numerous refinements and culminated in a January 2022 approval by the Bourne Zoning Board of Appeals.
“The 42 units at Cape View Way will make a life-changing difference for dozens of Cape Cod families and individuals,” said Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta. “Cape View Way is an example of how partners can combine their strengths to create safe, stable housing. Working together, we can take steps to address the region’s protracted housing crisis.”
Cape View Way’s Passive House design is another of POAH’s continuing efforts to build sustainable housing on Cape Cod. Earlier this year, Brewster Woods, a 30-unit development that serves low- and moderate-income households on Cape Cod, was the first multi-family Passive House certified project on Cape Cod. Residents will also benefit from a community room, mail room, library, outdoor entertainment area and basement storage.
Last year, the project secured $12 million in financing from Rockland Trust which said it was “honored to partner with Cape View Way to help fill the gap for affordable rental opportunities in a vibrant community,” said Kelly Nguyen, Vice President, Commercial Banker at Rockland Trust. “The need for affordable housing opportunities has greatly increased with the growing housing crisis. Cape View Way is addressing that need in a highly desirable location.”
“POAH appreciates our partners’ support for this critical affordable housing on Cape Cod,” said POAH President and CEO Aaron Gornstein. Public/private partnerships such as this help us create more homes for many who could otherwise not afford to stay on the Cape - especially low-income families and disabled individuals.”
The project is funded through state-allocated federal sources include 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding plus MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities gap funding including Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Housing Stabilization Fund, Housing Innovation Fund and local funding includes ARPA, CPA, and HOME funding supported by the Town of Bourne and the Barnstable County HOME Consortium
POAH and Housing Assistance also took the lead on securing a $1.31 million MassWorks infrastructure grant which is financing offsite water main upgrades under the direction of the North Sagamore Water District. The improved service will benefit Cape View and surrounding properties.
About POAH: Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit developer, owner, and operator of more than 13,000 affordable homes in eleven states and the District of Columbia. POAH’s primary mission is to preserve, create and sustain affordable, healthy homes that support economic security, racial equity, and access to opportunity for all.
www.poah.org and @poahcommunities
About Housing Assistance: Housing Assistance was founded in 1974. Its mission is to strengthen the Cape Cod and Islands region by empowering individuals, fostering community connections, and increasing affordable housing opportunities. The organization is a community non-profit that offers a continuum of housing and education programs that focus on homelessness prevention, rental stabilization, and homeownership opportunities for families and individuals on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.
For more information, visit HAConCapeCod.org
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