Need Added Income?2021-05-11T22:27:38+00:00

For Residents wishing for additional income:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a great way to provide smaller scale housing options that serve a range of housing needs. ADUs are also a great way to create a source of supplemental income.

By adding an apartment or small house to your property, you may be eligible to receive help with rehabilitation and construction costs*. It’s a great solution for seniors facing rising living costs but wish to be able to stay in their home. ADUs are also a great option for younger families and investor owners to offset the cost of purchasing a new home!

*subject to affordability; for restrictions see Eastham Affordable Housing Trust Guidelines for further information.

FAQs

How can I pay for construction of an ADU?2022-02-28T21:05:27+00:00
There are a number of resources available to property owners who would like to construct an ADU on their property. Several Cape Cod banks have created new loan products specifically to fund the construction of ADUs. Additionally, community organizations Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) and Community Development Partnership (CDP) are developing programs to assist and support property owners with the process of building an ADU. More information and new resources are available every day. Contact your local bank, community organization, or the Town to learn more.
What are the eligibility requirements to receive help with construction costs?2022-01-13T22:51:32+00:00

Under its Rental Expansion Program, the Eastham Affordable Housing Trust can provide funding assistance to homeowners to create new dwelling units subject to affordable housing deed restrictions (subject to zoning).

Here are the current eligibility requirements to receive a construction loan:

Household income is below:
– 1 person at home: $51,250
– 2-person family: $58,600
– 3-person family: $65,900
– 4-person family: $73,200

Development loans provided under the Rental Expansion Program are limited to up to $100,000 per unit. The Board of Trustees will determine the interest rate of between 0% and 3%, depending upon project feasibility. Payments will be deferred until the property is transferred unless the recipient is determined to be in violation of loan terms (allowances for extenuating circumstances, appeal process) in which case payments will be due. Any loan proceeds will be deposited into the Housing Trust Fund. All loans must be in the form of a mortgage against the property and may be subordinated to other project lenders. Deed riders for 10-15 years are required for projects where the loan is more than $20,000 per unit and required for at least 30 years or in perpetuity for loans of more than $50,000/unit.

* Your home in the Town of Eastham must be a primary residence. You must be current with property tax payments and have an active homeowner’s insurance policy. Have more people in your household? Call us.

What types of properties can benefit from the Rental Expansion Program?2021-05-24T19:57:21+00:00

New Construction Units – Provides funding assistance to developers for construction of new affordable rentals with deed restrictions required for long-term affordability, if permitted under zoning.

Accessory Dwelling Units – Provides assistance to homeowners to create new Accessory Dwelling subject to affordable housing deed restrictions, subject to zoning.

Seasonal/Year Round Property Conversion – Provides assistance to property owners to convert seasonal dwellings to year-round affordable dwellings subject to deed restrictions, subject to zoning.

Motel Conversion to Affordable Housing – Provides assistance to property owners to convert existing motels to affordable units, if permitted under zoning, subject to affordable housing deed restrictions.

Contact:

Town of Eastham Community Development Department
Paul Lagg, Town Planner
508-240-5900
plagg@eastham-ma.gov

What is an ADU and how can I benefit from it?2020-10-16T14:44:17+00:00

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home or a place of business. ADUs go by many different names in the US, including accessory apartments. Both homeowners and business owners in the town of Eastham may offer ADUs.

In 2019 the Town of Eastham voted to approve an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) bylaw to help diversify the types of housing available in the community and broaden housing opportunities for households of all income levels, ages and sizes, and to encourage and support a stable and diverse year round community and a robust local workforce.

Per the Eastham Zoning Bylaw an ADU is defined as a separate housekeeping unit containing independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. Which may be incorporated within a lawful principal single-family dwelling or commercial structure or within a detached building accessory to and on the same lot as a lawful principal single-family dwelling or commercial structure which the ADU shall be clearly subordinate in design to that principal single-family dwelling. (Eastham Zoning Bylaw).

The ADU bylaw was adopted to help prevent the displacement of current Eastham residents and encourage the influx of new residents, and to encourage a more efficient use of the Town’s housing supply and building stock while maintaining the character of the areas in which the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are located.

Who can rent an ADU?2020-10-15T21:31:03+00:00

There are no tenant restrictions or qualifications for private Accessory Dwelling Units. However, if an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is subsidized with state, federal or local funding, the renter needs to meet the current income qualification guidelines. These income qualifications change periodically, so it is best to contact the Eastham Town Planner for current information.

In 2019 the Town of Eastham voted to approve an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) bylaw to help diversify the types of housing available in the community and broaden housing opportunities for households of all income levels, ages and sizes, and to encourage and support a stable and diverse year round community and a robust local workforce.

The ADU bylaw was adopted to help prevent the displacement of current Eastham residents and encourage the influx of new residents, and to encourage a more efficient use of the Town’s housing supply and building stock while maintaining the character of the areas in which the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are located.

Do ADU tenants need to be employed within the Town of Eastham?2020-10-16T14:47:23+00:00

No, tenants of ADUs do not need to be employed within the Town of Eastham.

Can I rent the unit to whomever I want or will the town place only pre-screened candidates?2020-10-16T14:57:58+00:00

There are no tenant restrictions or qualifications for private ADUs. However, if an ADU is subsidized with state, federal or local funding, the renter needs to meet the current income qualification guidelines. 

THE TOWN — AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS — ARE HERE TO HELP!

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