As we begin October, summer is in the rearview mirror and Cape Cod enters a quieter, yet equally enchanting, phase. For year-round residents and second homeowners, fall offers a welcome change of pace. The crowds thin, but the beauty of the Cape remains, with crisp air and vibrant foliage. It’s a time to enjoy the region’s natural charm without the hustle of summer, making it a favorite season for those who know the Cape best. Whether strolling uncrowded beaches or attending local festivals, fall is a special time here, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and enjoyment that our fifteen seasonal communities know well.
However, the upside of living in a seasonal community is increasingly contrasted with the downside, as cost accelerates beyond hope in the pursuit of life, liberty, and a place to live. Housing affordability and availability are challenges that communities across the country grapple with, but for Cape Cod and other seasonal destinations, the impact is more extreme and nuanced. Unlike year-round communities, where housing needs remain relatively consistent, Cape Cod faces sharp fluctuations that complicate solutions and deepen the strain on both residents and seasonal workers.
When housing options are limited or prohibitively expensive, it not only affects the workers but also the businesses that depend on them. Employers struggle to attract and retain the workforce they need to sustain operations, particularly during peak season. This challenge creates a ripple effect throughout the community, where everything from customer service to local commerce is impacted.
The proliferation of short-term vacation rentals further complicates the situation. While platforms like Airbnb have been a boon for tourism, the comparatively higher income potential of vacation rentals vs. year-round rentals incentivizes property owners to prioritize short-term visitors over long-term tenants. As a result, families and workers who live here find themselves priced out of the rental market. This dynamic has led to a housing gap that threatens the sustainability of our workforce and, by extension, our economy.
On August 6, 2024, Governor Healy signed the Affordable Homes Act, which is the largest investment in housing in Massachusetts history. This historic bill provides $5.1 billion in funding opportunities to affordable housing initiatives in Massachusetts and establishes comprehensive policies that encourage housing production and preservation. For the first time, the compounding challenges facing seasonal communities are recognized through a new Seasonal Communities Designation, opening up the potential for dedicated state resources and assistance. The Governor, our legislative delegation, and housing advocates from the Cape and Islands deserve our thanks and gratitude.
This is a major step forward, but it is just the first step. More than a third of Cape Cod communities did not automatically receive seasonal designation, including towns like Barnstable and Yarmouth that house a large portion of the region’s workforce. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and a soon-to-be-created Seasonal Communities Advisory Council hold the authority to designate additional seasonal communities. We encourage these decision-makers to consider the full picture of a seasonal region like Cape Cod and provide all fifteen Cape towns with the opportunity to access the critical resources made possible through this designation. The justification for this move lies in the Cape’s inherently interconnected regional economy.
From top Outer Cape destinations like the Cape Cod National Seashore, to prominent attractions and major employers on the Upper Cape, like Heritage Museums and Gardens and Joint Base Cape Cod, our economy functions as a region-wide system. Due in part to the region’s relatively isolated geography, no one town stands alone as an island. Partnership routinely plays out between the fifteen towns, and with state and federal government stakeholders that operate in the region. Regionally, more than 35% of the housing stock is seasonal, easily qualifying the whole of the Cape under the new seasonal designation. Providing unique resources to only a portion of the region’s towns overlooks and endangers this important regional interconnectedness.
Cape Cod’s charm and success depend on the people who make it a vibrant and special place—both the residents who live here year-round and the workers who keep our seasonal economy running. Addressing housing challenges in a way that meets the needs of all stakeholders, region-wide, is not only a priority but a necessity for the future of our community. The solutions we seek must consider the collective burdens and benefits of one Cape Cod.
In a little over a week, we will gather with community partners, regional housing advocates, and town officials for the third annual Housing to Protect Cape Cod Summit. The Affordable Homes Act and its many new provisions, including the Seasonal Communities Designation, will be the focus of this year’s event, with local leaders weighing in on what these tools could mean for Cape Cod. We invite you to join us and be part of this critical conversation.