About FHT
The Falmouth Housing Trust (FHT) was organized in 1986 under Massachusetts General Law as a Community Development Corporation, (CDC) tasked with combating homelessness and promoting individual home-ownership for persons of low to moderate income for the Town of Falmouth, and its surrounding areas. The Trust is an independent non-profit, 501(c)3, organization that works in conjunction with local agencies and Town government.
The Trust Board acts independently of Town of Falmouth Committees and Boards, but does work in collaboration with them to achieve its goals and objectives through open dialogue and interaction.
Board terms are staggered to allow for continuity and transitioning. Each November the Board of Directors internally elects its Officers: President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer. The Officers serve for two-year terms and can be reelected by a majority vote of the Board. The President appoints other committees with the discretion and support of the Board on an as-needed basis.
The Falmouth Housing Trust has an Executive Director who carries out the policies and programs set annually by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for developing an annual plan of activities for the Falmouth Housing Trust, cultivating and soliciting funding proposals, maintaining relationships with the FHT membership, local businesses and elected officials, state and federal agencies and the Falmouth community. The Executive Director is responsible for program administration, compliance, maintaining a ready-to-buy list, reporting, and handling sales and leases of affordable units.
The Falmouth Housing Trust has a Chief Development Officer whose role is to maintain and build philanthropic capacity to support the mission based on a thorough understanding of the community whose support is being sought. The Chief Development Officer oversees a comprehensive fundraising and development program that includes major and foundation giving, annual giving, gifts of personal property and real estate, legacy giving, and organizing fundraising events.
The Falmouth Housing Trust does contract for services with local independent companies and organizations as the need arises, to realize its organizational goals and obligations.
Falmouth Housing Trust Working to Address Falmouth’s Critical Housing Needs
Working to Address Falmouth’s Critical Housing Needs
“Falmouth has both special qualities and unique challenges…the very beauty that makes Falmouth so appealing also masks the degree of economic hardship that exists in the town.”1
The Town of Falmouth Housing Demand Study & Needs Analysis report indicates that our community faces a number of socioeconomic challenges. On Cape Cod, and Falmouth in particular, we have a large and growing senior population, a limited and tenuous seasonal economy, and a high cost of living. And, like many communities, Falmouth has at-risk populations who struggle with the lack of affordable housing, which is a key factor in many of
these local concerns.
Falmouth Housing Trust exists to address critical housing needs in Falmouth by developing practical solutions that benefit the community. The Trust works to create affordable housing for individuals and families who are vital to our community. The Trust also works to rehabilitate housing to counteract community deterioration.
Falmouth’s lack of affordable housing is an obstacle to attracting and retaining a young and talented workforce. Many of our families with children and our young professionals simply can’t afford to live here. Households with children have declined from 24% in 2000 to 15% in 2020. “Population projections predict that Falmouth’s population will decline through 2050, mostly among younger cohorts while still increasing among older adults.”2 And today, Falmouth’s workforce is smaller than the combined total of children and those 65 and older. This is a concern that affects our whole community.
All communities need a diverse, productive workforce to thrive — teachers, waitstaff, healthcare workers, police, and firefighters, for example. By losing this workforce population, our community is losing the diversity, vibrancy, and contributions that this population brings, which affects our local economy and threatens our quality of life.
To retain this population, our low-to-moderate income residents must have housing they can afford. Because Falmouth Housing Trust recognizes their value to the health and composition of our town, creating affordable housing for this population is a priority.
Since 1986, the Trust has met a spectrum of housing needs in Falmouth. Our projects have created 42 affordable home ownership opportunities and 4 rentals for low-to-moderate income individuals and families. The Trust rehabilitated the iconic Odd Fellows Hall at 1 Chancery Lane, and converted it into single occupant, affordable rental housing.
1. Town of Falmouth Housing Demand Study & Needs Analysis, RKG Associates, Inc., Sept. 2014
2. Falmouth Housing Production Plan, 2024
Stephanie McDowell is a CPA based in Falmouth with over 30 years of accounting and tax experience. She serves individuals and small businesses, with a specialization in Construction clients. She also works extensively with estate and trust taxation.
Thomas Zine
Brendan Crane is Vice President of Crane Appliance, a family-owned appliance company serving Cape Cod and the Islands for more than 40 years. Prior to joining the family business, Brendan built a career in entertainment and media, specializing in non-fiction storytelling and creative strategy with a strong focus on nonprofit partnerships and social impact projects. He brings a creative, community-focused perspective to both business and civic involvement in Falmouth.
Lori Andrews has held a variety of leadership roles in HR, finance, audit and IT during a 40+ year career in financial services-insurance, public accounting and government. Lori retired from Liberty Mutual in 2021 as Senior Vice President and Manager of Global Total Rewards. In that role, ensuring more than 45,000 employees receive fair and competitive compensation and benefits worldwide. Lori has served on the Partners for Youth with Disabilities Board of Directors since 2020.
Maro Titus has a deep connection to the Falmouth Community that dates back to her childhood, shaping her passion for the area. Leveraging her successful career in healthcare administration, Maro has transitioned her expertise to Kinlin Grover Compass Real Estate. As a dedicated agent, she strives to understand each client’s unique needs, bringing a wealth of marketing knowledge and enthusiasm to the real estate practice. With a background in executive leadership encompassing strategic planning, government affairs, and business development, Maro’s professional journey is marked by a commitment to excellence.
Sudie Gifford comes to our board with an extremely varied background in arts, education, finance, public relations, and charity work.
Ed Monteiro was President of the Board of Directors of Falmouth Housing Trust in the ‘90’s, and we are thrilled that he is back.
David Sutkowy has lived in Falmouth since 2020.
Tammy Rausch is an experienced operations and business transformation leader with a background in financial services, global operations, and strategic planning. Tammy has held leadership roles at companies including Fidelity Investments and State Street Bank & Trust, where she led large teams, improved operational processes, and managed global client relationships. Tammy is also active in community volunteering, supporting local organizations including Make a Wish, Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, and Next Chapter Book Club.
Joan Bates has lived in Falmouth with her husband, Robert, since 2002. Prior to that, the couple lived in Newton. Joan’s 25-year professional career was in special education and nonprofit management.
Joanne O’Sullivan is a real estate attorney who has been practicing law in Falmouth since 1995. She is a self-described “wash-ashore” living on Cape Cod for 30 plus years. Joanne grew up in South Boston, and graduated from the University of Chicago and Boston College Law School. Attorney O’Sullivan has primarily been a sole practitioner for the past 20 years. She is married with 2 adult children who live out of state for job opportunities. Ms. O’Sullivan joined the FHT Board of Directors in 2009 and has served in various capacities, currently as vice president.
Director, Addie Drolette, is a Falmouth native and makes her home in East Falmouth. Most of Addie’s professional career has been spent serving the mortgage financing needs of the community of Falmouth. She is presently a Senior Residential Loan Officer with Martha’s Vineyard Bank.