Brand new community will add 93 family and senior affordable apartments to Wareham, MA

Pennrose and Wareham Redevelopment Authority (WRA) have begun construction on the Littleton Drive development, which will deliver 93 mixed-income apartments for families and seniors on the vacant 16-acre property off Swifts Beach Road in Wareham, Massachusetts. The brand new community is expected to be completed and begin welcoming residents in the summer of 2024.

Plans for Littleton Drive include a 49-unit family development with a mix of workforce and affordable apartments and a 44-unit affordable development for seniors aged 62 and older. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will be available at 30% to 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), about $31,000 to $105,000 for a one-person household. Residents will also have access to a host of on-site amenities, including a community clubhouse with shared gathering spaces, fitness center, on-site maintenance and management, and more.

“We’re excited to partner with the Redevelopment Authority to transform a long-vacant site into high-quality, affordable, and workforce homes for local families, young professionals, and seniors,” said Charlie Adams, regional vice president at Pennrose. “Thoughtfully designed to fit within the character of the local neighborhood combined with top-notch features and amenities, we are confident the Littleton community will be an asset for residents and neighbors for many years to come.”

The family development will include 49 units across 10 New England-style, two-story townhome buildings encircling a town green. Featuring varied rooflines, farmers’ porches, and private street-front entrances, the community is designed to resemble the area’s single family and duplex homes and reflect the classic New England community designs that characterize the region. The townhome buildings are situated close to the street to help foster a sense of community within the vibrant new neighborhood.

The 44 senior apartments are in one mid-rise building along with the community clubhouse. The age restricted units were designed using Universal Design principles to increase accessibility to the widest range of residents possible. Of the 44 apartments, three are set aside as Community Based Housing (BHS) units.

In addition to on-site amenities, the development plan includes numerous neighborhood benefits and infrastructure upgrades, including improved walking trails throughout the neighborhood, a new bus shelter and sidewalks on Swifts Beach Road, and a commitment to ensure 75% of the site remains as open space.

Residents will be selected from a housing lottery, with the goal of giving preference to Wareham residents for the initial lease up. Once the building is complete, Pennrose Management Company will serve as the property manager. NEI General Contracting is serving as general contractor and The Architectural Team (TAT) as the architect.

Financing was provided by MassHousing, Eastern Bank, Hudson Housing Capital, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, and the Town of Wareham Community Preservation Committee.

Littleton Drive is being developed as Massachusetts continues to face an extreme affordable housing crisis. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the state has a shortage of more than 175,000 affordable rental homes. Among extremely low income households, nearly half (38%) are seniors.

With a regional office in Boston, Pennrose is active throughout Massachusetts and the New England region. Pennrose also developed Village at Nauset Green, a 65-unit affordable housing community in Eastham and is developing The Pryde, Boston’s first LGBTQ-affirmative affordable housing community for seniors.