County Assembly of Delegates Focuses on Housing
Delegates Give Views on Cape Government’s Role
For Immediate Release April 3, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) — Barnstable County Assembly delegates responded to recommendations on regional housing strategy at its most recent meeting. The Assembly plans to hold a meeting of its Economic Affairs Committee in the coming weeks to hear more from stakeholders and members of the public.
“We need more services from the County. Parents are desperate to find a place for their kids who are in constant need of decent housing,” said David Kaplan, Executive Director at Friends Or Relatives With Autism and Related Disabilities (FORWARD), a nonprofit organization that builds homes for adults with autism.
Bob Samoluk, co-chair of Dennis Affordable Housing Trust, also asked for technical support from the County. “Effort to coordinate planning could be extremely helpful. We need a little less planning, and a little more executing.”
“We have many people here that are middle-class that contribute to the vitality of the Cape, not able to find housing,” said Cheri Armstrong of Harwich, chairman of the Cape and Islands Mass. Educator Action Network.
“We understand that housing is a crisis and there are things the county could do in order to alleviate it.” said Delegate Elizabeth Harder of Harwich, who chairs the Assembly Economic Affairs Committee. “This is a complex issue, and we need to hear from both the people who support action and the people who don’t.”
Deputy Speaker Daniel Gessen of Falmouth challenged the Assembly to act boldly to address a housing crisis. “We’ve priced entire generations of Cape coders out of the communities that they grew up in and love,” said Deputy Speaker Gessen. “When it comes to one of the most foundational promises of that American dream, homeownership, we failed at every level. Local, regional, state, and federal. It’s no wonder voters don’t feel an obligation to institutions that have failed to deliver for them.
Delegate John Ohman of Dennis also called for action. “Let’s start small and get something done. I’d like to see us find a way to get something in the pipeline. Talk is cheap and we’ve done a lot of talking,” said Delegate Ohman.
Delegate Frank Frederickson of Barnstable addressed the work of local town officials responding to regional recommendations. “I like the idea of limiting the County to a shared services position and incorporating that into our budget. We need careful execution so that we’re not doing too much too soon. We should forward the regional plans to the towns and let them decide. That’s up to the local governments to do.”
Delegate James Killion of Sandwich called for more input from the community before defining what the County wants to accomplish. “I understand this is an issue, but I also understand that it’s a small place. We want to keep Cape Cod the way we’ve all enjoyed it, and we don’t want to turn it into something that it’s not,” said Delegate Killion.
“The community needs more education about housing,” said Delegate Susan Warner of Yarmouth. “As a regional body I hope we can help coordinate that.”
Delegate Michaela Wyman-Colombo of Mashpee called for balancing providing housing and protecting the environment through redevelopment and deed restrictions. “If we lose the water quality, we lose our drinking water, we lose everything,” said Delegate Wyman-Colombo.
Delegate Brian O’Malley of Provincetown urged the Assembly to collaborate with the Cape Cod Commission on the Regional Housing Strategy. “What do they need in the way of resources to help implement some of the some of the solutions they’ve identified?” asked Delegate O’Malley.
“This is a crucial issue. It’s dire on the Outer Cape as well,” said Delegate Lilli-Ann Green of Wellfleet. She called for building while protecting natural resources. “The seashore towns and the Cape Cod National Seashore is a draw,” said Delegate Green.
Delegate J. Terence Gallagher of Eastham spoke of the need for patience. “This is one of the most crucial issues we face, and we’ve been talking about it for a long time,” said Delegate Gallagher. “It takes a long time because we want to approach it responsibly.”
Delegate Karl Fryzel of Brewster recommended action by the Assembly’s committees. “It’s a really big problem and I’m not sure what resources we as a region can provide,” said Delegate Fryzel, “but rather than trying to think of this in global big terms, a smaller group could look at what steps we might be able to take.”
“I want us to focus on realistic actions that our regional government can take to make a dent in the housing problem,” said Assembly Speaker Randi Potash from Chatham. “Towns enjoyed the regional shared housing program, and we should continue it.”
ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates is the legislative branch of Cape Code Regional Government. Fifteen Delegates, one elected by each town, enact ordinances and appropriate the County’s annual operating and capital budgets.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
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