News Release

Cape Cod National Seashore Structure Threatened by Erosion

Date: July 23, 2024
Contact: Susan Reece, 508-957-0738

WELLFLEET, Mass.– The National Park Service at Cape Cod National Seashore has determined that the Bartlett House, located on the bluffs overlooking Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, is no longer inhabitable in its present location due to erosion. Following the guidelines for excess federal property, the National Park Service (NPS) has had the Bartlett House evaluated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Title V of the McKinney-Vento Act, which allows for outside eligible organizations to take ownership of excess and surplus federal properties to assist persons experiencing homelessness.

The Bartlett House, located at 40 Ocean View Drive in Eastham, was built in 1960 and acquired by the National Park Service in 1964 from H. Craigin Bartlett. The 3 bed, 2 bath, one-story wood frame house was used for seasonal employee housing for decades and most recently was made available to the public as a short-term vacation rental.    

In April 2023, the house was approximately 45 feet from the edge of the bluff. In the fall of 2023, saltwater infiltrated the fresh water well system. Following this discovery, the park determined the site was no longer useable for residential purposes. In the fall of 2023, the cesspool was removed. It was determined by the park that it was not feasible to relocate the house and it is a non-historic property. Currently, the house sits less than 13 feet from the bluff edge.

On July 9th, 2024, HUD determined that the Bartlett house is unsuitable for habitation. There is a 20-day waiting period from the date of the posting (July 9th) to allow for an appeal of this determination. If there is no appeal, the house will be offered to any interested state or local government entity or homeless service organization. An expression of interest in the property must be filed with HUD. The interested party will need to complete an application packet and ultimately remove the structure. If there is no expression of interest in the home the National Park Service will continue with the plans to demolish the structure before it is claimed by the sea.

For more information on the HUD process: www.hudexchange.info/programs/title-v/