Finance committee recommends supplemental appropriation to continue shared regional housing services

On Sept. 29 the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates standing committee on finance voted unanimously to recommend that the full assembly approve Proposal 2025-11, a supplemental budget appropriation to fund the shared regional housing services program for fiscal year 2026.

The measure, described to the committee as revenue-neutral, covers consultant and operating costs for a shared regional housing office. The presenter said the program’s cost for the coming year will be fully offset by contributions from 13, possibly 14, participating towns and therefore requires an appropriation only to match incoming revenues.

Committee members said the program is valued by towns for providing a regional affordable housing database, stakeholder engagement, shared templates, virtual workshops and office hours where municipal planning staff and affordable housing specialists can get technical assistance. Committee members praised the model of pooling resources across municipalities.

Delegate Delia Frizzell moved to recommend the proposal to the full assembly; Delegate Delia Warner seconded. A roll call recorded unanimous support from the committee members present, and the clerk reported the recommendation will be transmitted to the full assembly for action.

The committee did not change the program scope during the discussion. The presenter emphasized the program has operated for two years with ARPA funding and will transition to town contributions beginning in the next fiscal year, and that the appropriation is intended to match those town revenues.