Homeless Prevention Council Moves into New Orleans HQ

"We have seen - especially post pandemic, as many as  2700, 2800 people a year coming in and out of our location . This is a very small year round population and we are seeing a significant number of people who are, like you and me, local members of the workforce, saying 'I just don't know if I can sustain this any longer...' "

— Hadley Luddy

CEO, Homeless Prevention Councill

What is the Homeless Prevention Council?

02 August, 2023 - ORLEANS, MA - The Homeless Prevention Council does what its name suggests: it works to keep people who live and work on Cape Cod keep their housing. In 2022 it helped more than 1,000 households stay in their homes.

Where is the Homeless Prevention Council's new location?

The new location is 8 Main Street in Orleans. It can to handle the organization's expanded team of 14 people, a growth that responded to community demand. CEO Hadley Luddy says the new site is also more visiable, easier to find, and reachable by both car and public transportation.

Who does the council serve?

The organization focuses on helping people who find themselves in a housing crisis rather than offering income-based services.  People who work in many types of roles on Cape Cod have increasingly struggled to live where they work as year round rentals disappear and prices surge. 

The Homeless Prevention Council says it serves people from all sectors - from service to management roles on the Cape, as well as youth and seniors. The majority of people are native to Cape Cod, who were born and raised here and lived here all their lives. A special concern is seniors, many of whom have been in the same rental much of their life, and who have been displaced as real estate changes hands and the rental market offers few alternatives.

What does it provide?

The organization offers a range of services includes rental assistance programs, which an be a bridge for up to three years. It also runs a "post homes" program which matches someone with an empty room with someone needing a room. Another effort addresses young adults who "couch surf" and lack ongoing housing.

Why is the Homeless Prevention Council needed?

More than 50 percent of Cape Cod's workforce comes from off-Cape every day to fill critical jobs - largely because the Cape lacks enough year round housing of any type for people to live and work here. The challenge isn't merely affordability, but a deeper lack of options for people working at all levels, from small business ownership, to teaching, to hospitality services.

See more coverage of Cape Cod's housing challenges in the Lower Cape News housing issues collection.