Affordable Housing Roundtable

December 6, 2002 Roundtable - Report Issued

Read the report on the Town of Provincetown's First Affordable Housing Roundtable held on Friday, December 6, 2002, prepared by Deputy Director of Community Development Mark L. Latour.

Do you have ideas about how to solve the Town of Provincetown's affordable housing crisis? That was the invitation to join Town officials and affordable housing advocates and experts in a roundtable discussion on Friday, December 6, 2002 at the Provincetown Town Hall Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events included a morning keynote presentation by Robert Murray, Executive Director of the Falmouth Housing Authority; as well as numerous panel discussions; and an afternoon roundtable leading to a wide range of proposals to create and maintain affordable housing in Provincetown.

Check the schedule of activities.

Read the report of the day's activities.

Discussion topics included:

• working with the State Legislature on Affordable Housing Issues
• an overview of The Massachusetts Comprehensive Permit Law M.G.L. c. 40 B, §§ 20-23 for affordable housing projects
• proposal for a real estate transfer tax in Provincetown to fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
• increasing from 10% to 35% the share of Land Bank funds for affordable housing (House Bill 4144)
• a proposed zoning amendment (like Wellfleet) allowing additional dwellings on a single lot if they are used for affordable housing
• a proposed amnesty program (like Barnstable) to legalize illegal additions which are already in existence if these additions are to be deed restricted for affordable housing
• enacting Provincetown's property tax exemption for those who provide affordable year-round rental housing (Senate Bill No. 2325)
• non-profit housing developments involving the banking community (under the federal Community Reinvestment Act)
• the impacts and possible limitations of condominium conversion in Provincetown
• creating affordable seasonal housing
• expanding the local room occupancy excise tax to include short-term rentals
• floating dormitories
• and more.

Participants included:

• Chris Norris, Deputy Director of Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)
• Paul Ruchinskas, Affordable Housing Specialist for the Cape Cod Commission
• Kevin Shea, Director of Community and Economic Development for the Town of Barnstable
• Paulette Theresa McAulliffe of the Town of Barnstable's Amnesty Program
• Gwen Pelletier, Executive Director of the Lower Cape Community Development Corporation
• Attorney Jeanne McKnight of Town Counsel Kopelman & Paige
• and others.

One of the most important goals of the Board of Selectmen this year is to "establish a task force for a roundtable discussion of strategies to address affordable housing needs in the community on a year-round and seasonal basis."

Applicants to the Affordable Housing Task Force are needed. If you have ideas about how to solve the Town's affordable housing problems, please join our Task Force. Your participation in the Town's December 6th Affordable Housing Conference can make Provincetown a better community. Come join us.

Contact Deputy Director of Community Development Mark L. Latour for more information

Return to Affordable Housing Return to home page