WELLFLEET, Mass. (Oct. 30, 2024) – State and local officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony Oct 30 at The Residences at Lawrence Hill, a new affordable housing community featuring 46 affordable, sustainably designed rental housing units located on Lawrence Road in Wellfleet. The new development will provide low- and moderate-income families access to new, permanent, stable, year-round affordable housing. The Residences at Lawrence Hill was developed through a partnership between the nonprofit organizations the Community Development Partnership (CDP) and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) in collaboration with Studio G Architects.
The Residences at Lawrence Hill will be situated on vacant, town-owned land near a public school and accommodate a range of household incomes. All 46 units will count toward Wellfleet's subsidized housing inventory and will more than double the number of affordable housing units in the town. Seventy-five percent of the units will be reserved for those earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). The energy-efficient apartments and townhomes draw inspiration from the Outer Cape's mid-century modern architectural style and will adhere to passive house-building standards, ensuring they generate as much energy as they consume.
State Senator Julian Cyr praised the collaborative effort that led to the creation of the Residences. “For too many of our year-round families and young people, housing on Cape Cod has become profoundly unaffordable,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Provincetown). “It is through partnerships exemplified by CDP and POAH, with support from the Town of Wellfleet and the Commonwealth, that we can turn the tide on the housing crisis. Today is undoubtedly a success and a crucial step towards bringing attainability and affordability to the Outer Cape’s housing market. I am proud to support this project, and I know the families who will move into Lawrence Hill will be excited to finally have a place they can call home.”
"POAH appreciates our partners' support for this critical affordable housing on Cape Cod," said POAH President and CEO Aaron Gornstein. "Public/private partnerships like this help us create more homes for many who could otherwise not afford to live here - especially low-income families and individuals."
The Residences at Lawrence Hill are designed to be certified passive houses under the strict Passive House Institute of the US (PHIUS) standard. The enclosure—including foundation, walls, windows, and roof—is designed and built to be airtight. The airtight enclosure and continuous ventilation will provide residents excellent air quality and comfort. Rooftop solar panels will offset energy costs. “Passive House building is our future — along with reducing the impact of carbon emissions produced by buildings, it meets increasing demands for better air quality, protection against rising energy costs, and building longevity as materials and labor become challenging to acquire,” said Gail Sullivan, Managing Principal at Studio G Architects. “We are excited to contribute to a brighter and healthier future for Wellfleet and the surrounding areas.”
"This project gives hope to the families and individuals who will move into Lawrence Hill, knowing they will have a safe, stable, sustainable, and affordable place to call home," said Jay Coburn, President and CEO of CDP. "As we celebrate the beginning of construction for The Residences at Lawrence Hill, we remain focused on the essential steps we need to continue to take together to address our region’s significant housing crisis."
"Lawrence Hill, with its beautiful design, energy efficiency, and healthy resident experience, will provide secure and lasting homes for many people we cannot afford to lose," said Elaine McIlroy, Chair of the Wellfleet Housing Authority, Chair, 95 Lawrence Road Task Force, and Wellfleet resident. "It’s essential for a healthy community to have housing that supports those working in the town from all backgrounds and to welcome and support new generations and talents."
Other speakers included Cory Fellows, Vice President, Real Estate Development, Preservation of Affordable Housing; Mary Thompson, Senior Vice President, Bank of America; and John Wolf, Chair, Wellfleet Select Board and Wellfleet Resident.
POAH, a frequent collaborator with the CDP, has served as the lead developer of the Residences at Lawrence Hill. The project's design, engineering, and construction teams are Studio G Architects, Tighe & Bond, and Dellbrook Construction.
The project partners included the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Massachusetts Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC), BANK, and Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust.
About POAH
Boston-based Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit organization that preserves, creates, and restores affordable rental homes for low—and moderate-income individuals, seniors, and families. POAH has rescued and restored some of America's most 'at-risk' rental housing, totaling more than 13,000 apartments in 12 states and the District of Columbia, including nearly 3,000 in Massachusetts.
About the Community Development Partnership
The Community Development Partnership (CDP) leads the Lower and Outer Cape in building a diverse year-round community of people who can afford to live, work, and thrive here. To accomplish our mission, we promote, develop, and manage affordable housing, nurture the launch and growth of small businesses, and facilitate collaboration with industry, nonprofit, and government partners. To learn about the CDP, visit www.capecdp.org.
The institutions are equal-opportunity, employers, and providers.
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