🏖️💔 Provincetown, Mass.: Da Matchmakah Assists Desperate Folks fo’ Find Housing, Eh! 🏠💪🔍
In da quaint town of Provincetown, located at da far edge of Cape Cod, da housing market stay nothing short of one rollercoastah ride, Braddah! 🎢🌊 Da combination of limited housing stock, sky-high demand during da summah months, and da heavy reliance on seasonal workers make dis place one of da most challenging spots to find housing in all of New England. 🤯
When Dan McKeon, one local resident, spotted one desperate plea on Facebook from one wahine tryna find summer housing fo’ her boyfriend, he knew exactly what was about to unfold. ⚠️💻💭
Mr. McKeon, known as da unofficial “housing matchmakah” in Provincetown, operates one highly sought-aftah Facebook group where people in desperate need of housing share their smiling selfies and heartfelt appeals fo’ assistance. Meanwhile, Mr. McKeon and his fellow group members occasionally post available rentals. Both online and in da vibrant local community, Mr. McKeon passionately urges da homeowners of Provincetown to open up their unused rooms to welcome da desperate newcomers. He eagerly shares insider tips on how to navigate da challenging housing search and strives to ensure that everyone, whether year-round residents or temporary visitors, feels embraced and accepted. 🤝❤️🏠
However, on one April day, one particular post caught da attention of da group’s 2,400 members and set off one wave of mocking and cynicism, exactly as Mr. McKeon had anticipated. Da post came from da young wahine, seeking one room at da reasonable price of $700 per month. But unfortunately, da backlash was swift and harsh. “Clearly nobody told you it’s impossible,” read one response, “but $700/month is straight outta da late 1990s!” 😮💔💲
In a housing market as tumultuous as Provincetown’s, where da median sales price of one single-family home reached da staggering sum of $1.9 million last month, da proliferation of Airbnb rentals, and da scarcity of apartment vacancies, it’s no wondah that da frustration among local renters has reached its boiling point. Da biting comments and sarcastic remarks reflect da genuine fears of residents, who live in constant dread of being priced out of their own community. 💸😫😡
“No one is safe,” declares Mr. McKeon, who himself is one rentah and knows firsthand da disheartening cycle of uprooting. He has been forced to relocate three times already and dreads da thought of yet anothah move next year when his landlord reclaims da house he currently calls home. Despite his own challenges, Mr. McKeon is driven by his passion to help others, fueled by his own lifelong dream of living in Provincetown. He also strives to maintain da spirit of aloha and kindness, even in da midst of online conflicts, to ensure that da welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of his adopted hometown remains intact. After witnessing da scornful reactions to da $700 room request, he immediately reached out to da wahine to offer his support and firmly reminded da group to be compassionate. 💛🤲🏠
Provincetown has long been a destination beloved by artists, LGBTQ+ travelers, and free spirits seeking refuge at da outermost edges of da world. Dis remote and intimate town, 116 miles away from Boston by car (and half dat distance by ferry), enchants visitors with its charming gray-shingled houses, white picket fences, and da backdrop of endless miles of sandy dunes, part of da Cape Cod National Seashore. 🌅🏡🌊
During da tranquil and windswept wintah months, when only 3,600 year-round residents remain, Provincetown embraces a calm stillness. But as summer approaches, da town transforms into one bustling hub of energy, with a population skyrocketing to 60,000. Da beaches, bars, and brick sidewalks come alive, teeming with one vibrant blend of affluent summah dwellers, L.G.B.T.Q. travelers, year-round locals, and international students who arrive each spring with short-term J1 visas, ready to work in da hotels, galleries, and restaurants. Da allure of Provincetown’s unique charm and beauty captures da hearts of many who hear its siren call. However, da sad reality is that Provincetown has become as elusive as it is desirable, with rental housing becoming one near-mythical treasure hunt. 🌈🚀💎
Da pleas and appeals that fill Mr. McKeon’s Facebook page embody one powerful collision of dreams and crushing realities. As da countdown to da tourist season, which traditionally kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, grows more frantic, da requests pour in from all walks of life. A doctor seeking to settle into a new job, two Bulgarian students with an affinity for cleanliness and order, and even a mother from Utah searching for a safe haven to raise her transgender daughter — all share da common hope of finding affordable and suitable housing in Provincetown. But even long-time residents aren’t exempt from da housing crisis. Francine Kraniotakis, who manages her family’s downtown business, George’s Pizza, found herself posting her own desperate plea in da Facebook group in April. She revealed that her landlord had given her until June to vacate da apartment she had called home for nine years, located conveniently close to da restaurant and her aging parents who reside upstairs. Da stress level for Francine was off da charts, reaching a whopping 20 outta 10. 😓🍕🗓️🏢
She tried negotiating for more time, offering to pay higher rent, and desperately scouring da area for suitable housing options. However, finding an affordable and conveniently located place proved to be an insurmountable challenge. As da summer season loomed closer, da situation grew increasingly dire. Da sense of urgency and da uncertainty of da future prompted local leaders to step up their efforts in addressing da crisis head-on. Da town of Provincetown is currently constructing 65 new year-round rental units on da former site of a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hall, according to Michelle Jarusiewicz, da town’s housing director. Additionally, one private developer has plans to create 100 dorm-style accommodations specifically for seasonal workers, who are desperately needed by local employers. Da town’s businesses, struggling to find workers, have been forced to cut back on operating hours. Some have even resorted to offering free or heavily discounted on-site housing, while oddahs rent out rooms in local motels, although not all of them are in satisfactory condition, as reported by locals. In recognition of da urgency of da situation, da Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce has recently hired one housing coordinator to assist student workers from overseas in finding host families or alternative accommodations for da busy season. The Executive Director of da Provincetown Housing Authority, Kristin Hatch, frequently receives calls about housing emergencies, including instances of people living in their cars or in da woods. Many of those affected are former housekeepers, waitstaff, and othah service industry workers. Da situation is reaching one breaking point, as Kristin herself laments, “Who’s gonna save these people in one small town like dis?” 🆘🏢📞
While Mr. McKeon, with his background in patient care at one psychiatric hospital in New York, dedicates his time as one volunteer matchmakah, he isn’t da only one working tirelessly to find housing solutions in Provincetown. Anothah Facebook page is also dedicated to housing matters, and local figures like Arlene Weston, one housing commissioner, have gone above and beyond to secure alternative accommodations for student workers, such as da creative use of one vacant church rectory last summah. Yet, da challenges persist, including da presence of scammers who post fake rental listings. Mr. McKeon shares da ongoing battle of rooting out these scammers, but in return, he has faced harassment and threats from fraudstahs on his social media accounts and phone, which he humorously answers with, “Provincetown Police Department!” 😄🚓📱
Despite da difficulties, Mr. McKeon’s unwavering determination has resulted in successfully finding room rentals for a handful of people this spring, all while navigating one of da toughest housing markets he has ever witnessed. However, stories of individuals who have been squeezed out of da market continue to emerge. Nigel Revenge, one local actor, was forced to leave Provincetown after his landlord decided to convert his apartment into one lucrative weekly rental. Despite months of searching, he was unable to find suitable housing and reluctantly left da town at da end of April to stay with family elsewhere on Cape Cod. To his dismay, he encountered one instance of homophobia when one driver hurled an anti-gay slur at him as he rode his bicycle to work. As Mr. Revenge sadly remarked, “I’m not in Oz anymore.” 😔🌈
Similarly, Henry Merges, one 20-year-old sophomore at Brown University, had eagerly accepted one summer internship at da Provincetown Art Association. He even considered living in one borrowed camper in his desperation to secure housing. However, da lack of viable options ultimately led him to decline da internship, moving back in with his parents in upstate New York and resuming his job search elsewhere. Reflecting on da experience, he expressed his disappointment, stating, “It was pretty heartbreaking, but it felt like a battle not worth fighting.” 💔🎭🏢
As da summer season draws nearer and da frenzy of rental listings reaches new heights, tempers flare on social media once again. One particular post advertising “two freestanding cottages” of 800 and 850 square feet incites outrage as da price tag is revealed: a staggering $34,000 per unit for just four months! Da exorbitant prices only serve to highlight da ever-widening gap between da dream of finding affordable housing in Provincetown and da harsh reality of da housing crisis. 💰😱🌞
While da challenges may seem insurmountable, da local leaders and passionate individuals like Mr. McKeon continue to fight for solutions. Da construction of new year-round rentals and da development of dorm-style accommodations for seasonal workers offer some hope for da future. However, da urgency of da situation demands ongoing attention and creative solutions to ensure that Provincetown remains one welcoming and inclusive community for all who seek to experience its unique charm. Only time will tell if da efforts of these dedicated individuals will be enough to alleviate da housing woes and preserve da spirit of Provincetown. 🙏🏠❤️
NOW IN ENGLISH
🏖️💔 Provincetown, Mass.: The Matchmaker Assists Desperate Folks in Finding Housing, Eh! 🏠💪🔍
In the picturesque town of Provincetown, located at the far edge of Cape Cod, the housing market is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, my friend! 🎢🌊 The combination of limited housing stock, soaring demand during the summer months, and heavy reliance on seasonal workers makes this place one of the most challenging spots to find housing in all of New England. 🤯
When Dan McKeon, one local resident, spotted a desperate plea on Facebook from a woman trying to find summer housing for her boyfriend, he knew exactly what was about to unfold. ⚠️💻💭
Mr. McKeon, known as the unofficial “housing matchmaker” in Provincetown, runs a highly sought-after Facebook group where people in desperate need of housing share their smiling selfies and heartfelt appeals for assistance. Meanwhile, Mr. McKeon and his fellow group members occasionally post available rentals. Both online and in the vibrant local community, Mr. McKeon passionately urges the homeowners of Provincetown to open up their unused rooms to welcome the desperate newcomers. He eagerly shares insider tips on how to navigate the challenging housing search and strives to ensure that everyone, whether year-round residents or temporary visitors, feels embraced and accepted. 🤝❤️🏠
However, on one April day, a particular post caught the attention of the group’s 2,400 members and set off a wave of mocking and cynicism, exactly as Mr. McKeon had anticipated. The post came from a young woman seeking a room at the reasonable price of $700 per month. Unfortunately, the backlash was swift and harsh. “Clearly, nobody told you it’s impossible,” read one response, “but $700/month is straight out of the late 1990s!” 😮💔💲
In a housing market as tumultuous as Provincetown’s, where the median sales price of a single-family home reached the staggering sum of $1.9 million last month, the proliferation of Airbnb rentals, and the scarcity of apartment vacancies, it’s no wonder that the frustration among local renters has reached its boiling point. The biting comments and sarcastic remarks reflect the genuine fears of residents, who live in constant dread of being priced out of their own community. 💸😫😡
“No one is safe,” declares Mr. McKeon, who himself is a renter and knows firsthand the disheartening cycle of uprooting. He has been forced to relocate three times already and dreads the thought of yet another move next year when his landlord reclaims the house he currently calls home. Despite his own challenges, Mr. McKeon is driven by his passion to help others, fueled by his own lifelong dream of living in Provincetown. He also strives to maintain the spirit of aloha and kindness, even in the midst of online conflicts, to ensure that the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of his adopted hometown remains intact. After witnessing the scornful reactions to the $700 room request, he immediately reached out to the woman to offer his support and firmly reminded the group to be compassionate. 💛🤲🏠
Provincetown has long been a destination beloved by artists, LGBTQ+ travelers, and free spirits seeking refuge at the outermost edges of the world. This remote and intimate town, 116 miles away from Boston by car (and half that distance by ferry), enchants visitors with its charming gray-shingled houses, white picket fences, and the backdrop of endless miles of sandy dunes, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. 🌅🏡🌊
During the tranquil and windswept winter months, when only 3,600 year-round residents remain, Provincetown embraces a calm stillness. But as summer approaches, the town transforms into a bustling hub of energy, with a population skyrocketing to 60,000. The beaches, bars, and brick sidewalks come alive, teeming with a vibrant blend of affluent summer dwellers, LGBTQ+ travelers, year-round locals, and international students who arrive each spring with short-term J1 visas, ready to work in the hotels, galleries, and restaurants. The allure of Provincetown’s unique charm and beauty captures the hearts of many who hear its siren call. However, the sad reality is that Provincetown has become as elusive as it is desirable, with rental housing becoming a near-mythical treasure hunt. 🌈🚀💎
The pleas and appeals that fill Mr. McKeon’s Facebook page embody a powerful collision of dreams and crushing realities. As the countdown to the tourist season, which traditionally kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, grows more frantic, the requests pour in from all walks of life. A doctor seeking to settle into a new job, two Bulgarian students with an affinity for cleanliness and order, and even a mother from Utah searching for a safe haven to raise her transgender daughter — all share the common hope of finding affordable and suitable housing in Provincetown. But even long-time residents aren’t exempt from the housing crisis. Francine Kraniotakis, who manages her family’s downtown business, George’s Pizza, found herself posting her own desperate plea in the Facebook group in April. She revealed that her landlord had given her until June to vacate the apartment she had called home for nine years, located conveniently close to the restaurant and her aging parents who reside upstairs. The stress level for Francine was off the charts, reaching a whopping 20 out of 10. 😓🍕🗓️🏢
She tried negotiating for more time, offering to pay higher rent, and desperately scouring the area for suitable housing options. However, finding an affordable and conveniently located place proved to be an insurmountable challenge. As the summer season loomed closer, the situation grew increasingly dire. The sense of urgency and the uncertainty of the future prompted local leaders to step up their efforts in addressing the crisis head-on. The town of Provincetown is currently constructing 65 new year-round rental units on the former site of a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hall, according to Michelle Jarusiewicz, the town’s housing director. Additionally, a private developer has plans to create 100 dorm-style accommodations specifically for seasonal workers, who are desperately needed by local employers. The town’s businesses, struggling to find workers, have been forced to cut back on operating hours. Some have even resorted to offering free or heavily discounted on-site housing, while others rent out rooms in local motels, although not all of them are in satisfactory condition, as reported by locals. In recognition of the urgency of the situation, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce has recently hired a housing coordinator to assist student workers from overseas in finding host families or alternative accommodations for the busy season. The Executive Director of the Provincetown Housing Authority, Kristin Hatch, frequently receives calls about housing emergencies, including instances of people living in their cars or in the woods. Many of those affected are former housekeepers, waitstaff, and other service industry workers. The situation is reaching a breaking point, as Kristin herself laments, “Who’s going to save these people in a small town like this?” 🆘🏢📞
While Mr. McKeon, with his background in patient care at a New York psychiatric hospital, dedicates his time as a volunteer matchmaker, he isn’t the only one working tirelessly to find housing solutions in Provincetown. Another Facebook page is also dedicated to housing matters, and local figures like Arlene Weston, a housing commissioner, have gone above and beyond to secure alternative accommodations for student workers, such as the creative use of a vacant church rectory last summer. Yet, the challenges persist, including the presence of scammers who post fake rental listings. Mr. McKeon shares the ongoing battle of rooting out these scammers, but in return, he has faced harassment and threats from fraudsters on his social media accounts and phone, which he humorously answers with, “Provincetown Police Department!” 😄🚓📱
Despite the difficulties, Mr. McKeon’s unwavering determination has resulted in successfully finding room rentals for a handful of people this spring, all while navigating one of the toughest housing markets he has ever witnessed. However, stories of individuals who have been squeezed out of the market continue to emerge. Nigel Revenge, a local actor, was forced to leave Provincetown after his landlord decided to convert his apartment into a lucrative weekly rental. Despite months of searching, he was unable to find suitable housing and reluctantly left the town at the end of April to stay with family elsewhere on Cape Cod. To his dismay, he encountered an instance of homophobia when a driver hurled an anti-gay slur at him as he rode his bicycle to work. As Mr. Revenge sadly remarked, “I’m not in Oz anymore.” 😔🌈
Similarly, Henry Merges, a 20-year-old sophomore at Brown University, had eagerly accepted a summer internship at the Provincetown Art Association. He even considered living in a borrowed camper in his desperation to secure housing. However, the lack of viable options ultimately led him to decline the internship, moving back in with his parents in upstate New York and resuming his job search elsewhere. Reflecting on the experience, he expressed his disappointment, stating, “It was pretty heartbreaking, but it felt like a battle not worth fighting.” 💔🎭🏢
As the summer season draws nearer and the frenzy of rental listings reaches new heights, tempers flare on social media once again. A particular post advertising “two freestanding cottages” of 800 and 850 square feet incites outrage as the price tag is revealed: a staggering $34,000 per unit for just four months! The exorbitant prices only serve to highlight the ever-widening gap between the dream of finding affordable housing in Provincetown and the harsh reality of the housing crisis. 💰😱🌞
While the challenges may seem insurmountable, the local leaders and passionate individuals like Mr. McKeon continue to fight for solutions. The construction of new year-round rentals and the development of dorm-style accommodations for seasonal workers offer some hope for the future. However, the urgency of the situation demands ongoing attention and creative solutions to ensure that Provincetown remains a welcoming and inclusive community for all who seek to experience its unique charm. Only time will tell if the efforts of these dedicated individuals will be enough to alleviate the housing woes and preserve the spirit of Provincetown. 🙏🏠❤️
