MA Housing Secretary joins nonprofit developers, local officials and residents to cut the ribbon on affordable housing in Wellfleet

Lawrence Hill development has 46 affordable apartments for families

Wellfleet, MA – Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Juana Matias and
State Senator Julian Cyr joined Preservation of Affordable Housing, Community Development
Partnership and supporters and residents to officially open The Residences at Lawrence Hill, a 46-
unit neighborhood located on town-owned land that is available to a range of household types.

The new development will be home to year-round Wellfleet residents who will live in highly
energy-efficient homes which are inspired by the Outer Cape’s mid-century modern architectural
tradition.

Eleven (11) of these homes are targeted for households earning up to 100% of Area Median Income
(AMI), to ensure that working families can live in proximity to their jobs in Wellfleet. Nine (9) of
these homes will serve residents earning up to 30% AMI, to stabilize those households at risk of
homelessness.

The development was built on a town-owned parcel that is the site of a water tower, a community
baseball field, and vacant, buildable land. The new community is divided into two areas: an Upper
Village with 24 townhomes across seven buildings and a Lower Village with a 22-unit building.
Among the total 46 units, there are sixteen (16) one-bedroom units, twenty-five (25) two-bedroom
units, and five (5) three-bedroom units. These family-sized homes (65% two-bedrooms or larger)
will enable moderate- and low-income families to live and work in Wellfleet, with the site’s
proximity to Wellfleet’s village center, elementary school and public transportation.

“Housing costs are high across Massachusetts, and that pressure is especially intense on Cape Cod,”
said Juana Matias, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “Today shows what we are
doing about it. By investing in projects like the Residences at Lawrence Hill, we are creating more
homes people can afford in communities where they are needed most. This project will more than
double the number of affordable units available in Wellfleet, marking a major milestone for the town
and its residents.”

“Lawrence Hill meets critical housing needs with homes that are high-quality, energy-efficient, and designed for year-round living. Just as important, it reflects a community-driven process—where
early and consistent engagement helped us move from vision to reality quickly and responsibly,”
said Andrea Aldana, President & Chief Executive Officer, Community Development Coordinator.

“The 46 apartments at Lawrence Hill will expand opportunity for low-and moderate-income families
in a community that desperately needs permanent, year-round affordable housing to stabilize its
aging year-round community,” said POAH President and CEO Aaron Gornstein.

"Lawrence Hill stands out as the kind of housing our Outer Cape community sorely needs
welcoming and affordable, year-round homes for working families and seniors, the very people who
give this special place its heart. The collaboration between the Town of Wellfleet, CDP, POAH, the
Healey-Driscoll Administration, and the local partners who helped bring this vision to life is an
example for other seasonal communities to follow. This project proves what can happen when we
think creatively about public land, join forces with passionate affordable housing developers, and
stand firm in our belief that those who live and work on Cape Cod deserve to stay here," said
Massachusetts State Senator, Julian Cyr.

“Bank of America is pleased to provide a construction loan and tax credit investment to help finance
much-needed, mixed-income housing in Wellfleet, with our long-time partners at POAH,” said Mary
Thompson, Senior Vice President of Community Development Banking at Bank of America.
“Lawrence Hill is a great example of the impact public-private partnerships can make to support the
communities where we work and live.”

“Today’s ribbon cutting represents a meaningful step forward for affordable, sustainable living on
the Outer Cape," said Gail Sullivan, Managing Principal at Studio G Architects. "By meeting the
rigorous Passive House standards, this project delivers much-needed housing that prioritizes energy
efficiency, superior air quality, and reduced operating costs for residents. At a time when both
housing affordability and climate responsibility are urgent priorities, communities like Lawrence
Hill show what’s possible when thoughtful design and local partnership come together. We’re proud
to help bring a healthier, more sustainable future to Wellfleet and the broader Cape community.”

The property, along with the neighboring elementary school and police and fire stations, will be
served by an innovative wastewater treatment system which will improve water quality in Wellfleet
Harbor. Lawrence Hill is aiming to certify as a Passive House development, ensuring net zero
carbon emissions with all electric utilities and efficient building envelopes.

The project was funded through
Town of Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust & Community Preservation Committee
Barnstable County
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Community Preservation Committees of Brewster, Orleans & Provincetown
 

About POAH: Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit developer, owner, and operator of
more than 14,000 affordable rental apartments in 13 states and the District of Columbia, including 637 on
Cape Cod. For more information, visit www.poah.org.

About CDP: The Community Development Partnership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development
corporation, champions the Lower and Outer Cape as a place where a strong, diverse, year-round population can live, work, and thrive. We develop, provide and advocate for housing, support the launch and growth of small businesses, and collaborate with nonprofit, business, and government partners to remove barriers and create opportunities. CDP’s website is CapeCDP.org.