Addressing a Community Need: Homelessness on Cape Cod is driven by a severe shortage of affordable and available housing. St. Joseph’s Shelter is a vital part of the solution – providing safety, stability, and a pathway to permanent housing.

Serving Local Residents in Need: St. Joseph’s Shelter serves individuals from across Cape Cod – many of whom are working or elderly (62+) living on fixed incomes. In 2025, 40% of shelter guests were employed and 84% were Cape Cod residents. These are community members facing housing instability due to rising costs, not choice.

Serving a Fixed Number: St. Joseph’s Shelter will continue to serve 50 individuals at a time. This capacity is set by state contract, not by the size of the building. The new facility is about improving care, not expanding size.

Improving Outcomes Through Services: The new shelter will offer expanded access to a day program, on-site medical and behavioral health care, and case management, helping guests stabilize faster and transition to housing.

A Proven Safe Neighbor: For decades, the shelter has operated near local schools and youth centers without any known incidents involving students, demonstrating a strong record as a safe and responsible neighbor.

Purpose-Built for Safety and Accessibility: The new facility will be modern, ADA-accessible, and designed specifically as a shelter, improving safety, dignity, and accessibility – especially for older adults.