Program Description

The Town of Provincetown has had the creation and retention of affordable and community housing as a top goal since 1997 and has aggressively pursued many housing strategies to do so. The Provincetown Community Housing Office was created under Art.9 at the April 2007 Annual Town Meeting with Community Preservation Funds for the provision of direct staff support for housing activities. Traditionally, CPA funds have been used to fund the Housing Office in whole or in part. Beginning with FY ’21, the entire housing budget was folded into the Town’s general budget and was no longer dependent upon CPA funds. Following the 2019 Camoin Economic Development Analysis it became apparent that the housing crisis impacts every sector of the economy and is THE most important issue to address. The 2020 COVID pandemic accentuated the need to provide resources for people to maintain and find housing. The pandemic has further exacerbated the housing crisis with skyrocketing housing sale prices continuing the displacement of year round and seasonal worker housing. The Housing Office serves to advance efforts to create new community housing opportunities as well as preserve existing community housing options for residents of Provincetown. The Housing Specialist serves as the Town’s point person on all community housing plans, programs, and activities as well as other related housing work. Administrative support is provided to the Community Housing Council, the Provincetown Year Round Market Rate Rental Housing Trust, the Community Preservation Committee, and the Economic Development Committee, including attendance at meetings, budgeting, and following up on CPA and ED requests.

Budget Statement

The proposed budget continues the Housing Office staffed with a full-time [40 hours/week] Housing Specialist and a full-time [40 hours/week] Assistant, with related benefit costs incorporated into the Town’s 910 budget, and an expense budget for education, travel, and advertising.