Latest news with #Homes
Boston Globe
6 hours ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Cape Cod's housing crunch: Where can a regular person still buy a home?
According to the Cape Cod & Islands Multiple Listing Service, the median sales price for a single-family home in Barnstable County now sits at $802,500. That figure puts homeownership out of reach for many year-round residents in an area where the median household income is just shy of $95,000, according to While Provincetown led the county year to date with a median price of Advertisement Affordability, in this landscape, is a relative term. 'We're talking single digits a year,' said Elliott Schmiedl, director of homeownership at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, in reference to how many affordable home mortgages the agency (which offers below-market interest rates to eligible borrowers) now supports on the Cape and Islands. A one-level home at 18 Race Road in West Yarmouth is in close proximity to the beach and has a fenced-in yard. The property is currently listed for sale at $435,000 on Zillow as of July 13, 2025. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe That's down from as many as a couple dozen annually in previous years, Schmiedl added. Most of those rare successes today come from affordable housing lotteries rather than typical market-rate sales. The combination of Advertisement According to Todd Machnik, president of the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors, 43 percent of all home sales in June were cash purchases. '[Locals are] missing out on homes because they're competing against people who don't need to finance as much,' he said. A renovated ranch located at 31 Gardiner Lane in South Yarmouth is for sale near the beaches along Nantucket Sound. The house is currently listed at $565,000 on Zillow as of July 13, 2025. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe The Homes that aren't near the coast may linger on the market slightly longer, but the most desirable properties are still snapped up in days and often above asking price and without contingencies. ' Englewood Beach is located less than a quarter-mile from a desirable home for sale at 90 W Broadway St. in West Yarmouth. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe The Cape's year-round housing inventory has been steadily eroded by second-home demand and the rise of short-term rentals. Magnotta pointed to platforms like Homes that would have been offered as 'We've seen another shift in the market, where we've lost access to this existing inventory,' Magnotta said. 'This is in the rear-view mirror. We're looking back and going, 'That was happening in the marketplace, and we lost it all again.'' Advertisement Barnstable offers locals and visitors beautiful beaches and whale watching expeditions by Millway Beach. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe Data from the Cape Cod & Islands Multiple Listing Service underscores the shift. In June, Barnstable had the most homes listed both above and below the county median, a reflection of its size and market variety. But towns like Provincetown and Chatham continue to tilt luxury: That said, there are pockets of affordability to be had: Dennis saw the lowest median condo sales price for all of the Cape and Islands year to date at $278,950. Meanwhile, affordability programs don't always reach far enough. The state's One+ Mortgage Program, which provides down payment help and buys down interest rates for first-time buyers, is only available in designated Gateway Cities. On the Cape, that includes just one: Barnstable. There are limitations and restrictions on how federal funds can be deployed. Expanding the One+ program would require substantial funding and buy-in from multiple municipalities — a logistical challenge given the Cape's fragmented governance. 'That's an idea we've kicked around,' Schmiedl said of opening the One+ program to more communities that opt into the program and pool resources. 'It just becomes tricky because managing so many funding sources is really fraught.' Still, some progress is visible. The An available seaside cottage at 135 S Shore Drive #17, in South Yarmouth, is part of a community of cottages with access to a private beach. The studio for sale is currently listed at $339,900 on Zillow as of July 13, 2025. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe Cape officials and housing advocates agree that solutions need to be both local and regional, encompassing zoning, infrastructure, and creative use of existing housing stock. Programs like Advertisement Magnotta also urged individual action: 'If you're a second homeowner, build an [ But time is a factor. 'I raised my three daughters here,' Magnotta said. 'But today we couldn't roster a girls basketball team in elementary school. I guess it's not detrimental, but it's telling: You only need five players.' What can bring positive change? Collective action, Magnotta emphasized. 'It's a shared value that we've had on the Cape for a long time. It's part of who we are,' she added. 'I hope that in these years of [an affordability] crisis, we continue to keep coming together. Otherwise, we're going to become a museum and a place for the rich and famous just to visit. And none of us will be here.' Traffic builds as visitors leave the Cape Sunday night, traveling across the Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Proposed Ely cycleway needs rethink, developer told
Developers have been told to find a different way to create a promised cycle Homes applied to add double yellow lines to part of Lynn Road in Ely, which it said meant the pavement could be widened and the cycleway road connects the Orchard Green estate with the city centre, and providing improved travel links was a condition for the 1,200-home development being approved in application was refused by a committee on Monday and the developer said it would continue dialogue with Cambridgeshire County Council. More than a hundred people raised concerns about the loss of on-street parking on the road, as well as the impact on surrounding streets. "[Hopkins Homes] do need to look into alternative routes for cycling," said Liberal Democrat Christine Whelan, councillor for Ely South, who was speaking after the meeting."It's important that we do have an active travel route from the estate where they are into town."Whelan said other wider roads in the area would be more suitable, while fellow Lib Dem councillor Alison Whelan said building a dedicated cycling lane would have been a more viable proposal, rather than creating a shared pavement and cycleway. 'Women may feel vulnerable' Cambridgeshire County Council said a reduction in parking spaces on the road may dissuade people with disabilities going out in their authority added that it could also create difficulties for those who were either pregnant or have babies or young children, and that "women may feel vulnerable walking home, particularly during hours of darkness".A spokesperson for Hopkins Homes said: "[We] acknowledge the outcome of the county council's decision, which has taken on board local residents' concerns." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
David Howard puts blazer chase aside to focus on South of Ireland title bid at Lahinch
But while making the cut and winning his first two matches makes him odds-on to hold on to his top-two status in the Bridgestone Order of Merit and earn automatic selection on Sunday night for next month's Home Internationals, he's looking to add the South to his maiden major win in the East of Ireland last month. He beat Palmerstown House's Ross McCormack 2&1 before seeing off Charleville's Jordan Boles 6&5 to set up a last 16 clash with Irish Close champion Thomas Abom from Edmonstown. And after being forced to dig deep just to make the top 64 who qualified for the matchplay stages, playing his last six holes in four under to make it with a shot to spare, he's not going down without a fight now. "It's a long day, long week, and I have a few things hanging over me," said Howard, who has decided not to worry about the mathematics of who might overtake him in the Order of Merit. "I need to stay second to be guaranteed a pick for the Homes but while I try to not think about and play my golf, obviously it's in the back of my mind." He continued his excellent play in a light westerly breeze, making five birdies in the morning and another four in the afternoon. West of Ireland champion Dylan Holmes, who ended Keith Egan's top-two Order of Merit hopes and then beat Mountrath's Niall Hearns in the afternoon to make the last 16, could overtake Howard if he wins the title. But Howard is focusing on his battle on the opposite side of the draw, where Galway veteran Joe Lyons faces Lahinch's Jonathan Keane and Conor Stapleton from Westport takes on Carton House's Paul O'Hanlon, who was a 19th hole winner over 2023 champion Colm Campbell. "If I win this week, no one else can get in the way," said Howard, who feels his putting is coming together after some recent work with Kevin Morris at Fota Island. He faces a tough match against Thomas Abom, who chipped in for birdie at the 18th before beating Tralee's Mark Gazi with another birdie at the 20th and going on to beat Galgorm's Jamie Sutherland 2&1. The winner will face Roganstown's Mark Cadden or Abom's brother Liam, who beat Galgorm Castle's Josh Hill one up in the afternoon. Cadden, controversially left out of the Irish team for the Boys Home Internationals, held off a back nine comeback from 2012 winner and 'South' specialist Pat Murray to win his morning match one up before ousting former Irish Close champion Quentin Carew 2&1 in the afternoon. At the top of the draw, Seapioint's Dylan Keating became the fourth leading qualifier in a row to exit on day one, losing one up to Monkstown's Sean Desmond, who went on to beat East Clare's Eoin Magill. Desmond now takes on 2019 winner and former Walker Cup star Caolan Rafferty, who came back from three down with five to play to edge out Berehaven's Joe O'Neill on the 18th. The Dundalk man won the 14th, 15th and 17th to level the match before O'Neill hit his approach too close to the wall at the 18th and, unable to make a full backswing, conceded after twice failing to get on the green. "It was just a rough spin in for Joe," Rafferty said after his closing birdie. "I just kept hitting fairways and greens, and what happened on 18, it's not nice when something like that happens to a nice guy like Joe." The winner of the Desmond-Rafferty clash will take on Galgorm's Jordan Hood, who beat the combative Douglas man Barry O'Connell one up, or the steady Athenry grinder David Kitt. West of Ireland winner Holmes from Greystones looks like a serious challenge for last year's leading qualifier Ryan Griffin from Ballybofey and Stranorlar after he followed his win over Egan with five birdies in a 6&5 victory over Hearns. The winner of Holmes-Griffin clash will face Connemara's Luke O'Neill or Grange's Jake Whelan. O'Neill beat Royal Dublin's Sean Downes with a birdie at the fifth extra hole, the Dell, in round one before defeating Fionn Dobbin 5&3 while Whelan didn't have to go past the 16th in beating Bunclody's Jason Rackard and Mullingar's Adam Smith. Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Lahinch First round: S Desmond (Monkstown) bt D Keating (Seapoint) 1 up; E Magill (East Clare) bt B Oberholzer (Clandeboye) 2/1; C Rafferty (Dundalk) bt P Curran (Edmondstown) 5/4; J O'Neill (Berehaven) bt J Butler (Naas) 3/1; B O'Connell (Douglas) bt A Buchanan (Royal Portrush) 1 up; J Hood (Galgorm Castle) bt C Clarke (Balmoral) 2/1; D Kitt (Athenry) bt R Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire) 5/3; C Cooley (Belvoir Park) bt D Reddan (Castleknock) 1 up; R Griffin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) bt R Latimer (Knock) 3/2 A McCormack (Castletroy) bt E O'Carroll (St Annes) 6/5; D Holmes (Greystones) bt K Egan (Carton House) 3/2; N Hearns (Mountrath) bt J Foley (Elm Park) 2/1; L O'Neill (Connemara) bt S Downes (Royal Dublin) 23rd; F Dobbin (Malone) bt E Sullivan (Portmarnock) 3/2; J Whelan (Grange) bt J Rackard (Bunclody) 3/2; A Smith (Mullingar) bt D Lally (Blainroe) ) 5/4; J Lyons (Galway) bt C Hickey (Dooks) 5/3; B Cahill (Dundalk) bt S Barry (Fota Island) 1 up; S Loftus (Lahinch) bt J Maginn (Mourne) 19th; J Keane (Lahinch) bt G O'Neill (Malahide) 4/3; C Stapleton (Westport) bt T Scroope (Nenagh) 3/2; G Donohoe (Enniscorthy) bt R Sykes (Dun Laoghaire) 2 up; P O'Hanlon (Carton House) bt J Walsh (Douglas) 6/5; C Campbell (Warrenpoint) bt K Bornemann (Douglas) 3/2; T Abom (Edmondstown) bt M Gazi (Tralee) 20th; J Sutherland (Galgorm Castle) bt C Woodroofe (Dun Laoghaire) 4/2; J Boles (Charleville) bt D Hogg (Belvoir Park) 6/5; D Howard (Fota Island) bt R McCormack (Palmerstown House) 2/1; L Abom (Edmondstown) bt D O'Sullivan (Tralee) 3/1; J Hill (Galgorm Castle) bt TJ Ford (Co Sligo) 21st; Q Carew (Castleknock) bt B Howlin (The Heritage) 19th; M Cadden (Roganstown) bt P Murray (Adare Manor) 1 up. Second round: Desmond bt Magill 1 up; Rafferty bt O'Neill 1 up; Hood bt O'Connell 1 up; Kitt bt Cooley 3/2; Griffin bt McCormack 1 up; Holmes bt Hearns 5/3; O'Neill bt F Dobbin 5/3; Whelan bt Smith 5/4; Lyons bt Cahill 6/5; Keane bt Loftus 3/2; Stapleton bt Donohoe 1 up O'Hanlon bt Campbell 19th; T Abom bt Sutherland 2/1; Howard bt Boles 6/5; L Abom bt Hill 1 up; Cadden bt Carew 2/1. Saturday - Third rd.: 8:00 Desmond v Rafferty; 8:12 Hood v Kitt; 8:24 Griffin v Holmes; 8:36 O'Neill v Whelan; 8:48 Lyons v Keane; 9:00 Stapleton v O'Hanlon; 9:12 T Abom v Howard; 9:24 L Abom v Cadden.
New Paper
22-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
MOH overpaid $7m in subsidies and grants, caused $2m in shortfalls
The issue that caused a processing error in a government means-testing system which led to about 20,000 people getting the wrong subsidies and grants has been identified, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on July 22. MOH, which manages the Household Means Eligibility System (Homes), said that the error had resulted in about $7 million in overpayments for about 90 per cent of the affected individuals, and about $2 million in shortfalls for the remainder of those affected. On July 21, MOH said that Homes had experienced a processing issue resulting in about 20,000 people receiving wrong subsidies and grants. The ministry said then that those who received excess subsidy or grant amounts will not have to return them, while those who received less than they were entitled to will have the difference topped up by government agencies by November. Homes uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) to means-test individuals with business income, such as self-employed people - for selected subsidy schemes across the Government. What happened? For the 2025 year of assessment, Iras' tax filing notification process began later in mid-January, compared with the preceding December in previous years, said MOH. This was to ensure Central Provident Fund contributions for the full year were captured for more accurate income tax assessments. However, the "system logic" at the time caused Homes to omit the business income of selected individuals. This led to inaccurate means-testing for individuals with business income and members of their households between Jan 1 and Jan 27, 2025. MOH said that Homes was first alerted to the issue on Jan 13 through a member of the public's query when applying for subsidies, which triggered an investigation, leading to the identification of the issue. The ministry added that it is currently enhancing the design of Homes for better integration and coordination with agencies. In a similar incident in 2019, about 7,700 people who applied for and renewed their Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) cards in September and October 2018 received inaccurate subsidies after a computer system miscalculated their means-test results.
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls
Find out what's new on ST website and app. MOH said that the error had resulted in about $7 million in over-payments for about 90 per cent of the affected individuals. SINGAPORE - The issue that caused a processing error in a government means-testing system which led to about 20,000 people getting the wrong subsidies and grants has been identified, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on July 22. MOH, which manages the Household Means Eligibility System (Homes), said that the error had resulted in about $7 million in over-payments for about 90 per cent of the affected individuals, and about $2 million in shortfalls for the remainder of those affected. On July 21, MOH said that Homes had experienced a processing issue resulting in about 20,000 people receiving wrong subsidies and grants. The ministry said then that those who received excess subsidy or grant amounts will not have to return them , while those who received less than they were entitled to will have the difference topped up by government agencies by November. Homes uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to means-test individuals with business income, such as self-employed people - for selected subsidy schemes across the Government. What happened? For the 2025 year of assessment , IRAS' tax filing notification process began later in mid-January , compared to the preceding December in previous years, said MOH. This was to ensure CPF contributions for the full year were captured for more accurate income tax assessments. However, the 'system logic' at the time caused Homes to omit the business income of selected individuals. This led to inaccurate means-testing for individuals with business income and members of their households between Jan 1 and Jan 27, 2025. MOH said that Homes was first alerted to the issue on Jan 13 through a member of public's query when applying for subsidies, which triggered an investigation leading to the identification of the issue. The ministry added that it is currently enhancing the design of Homes for better integration and coordination with agencies.
