PROVINCETOWN – Provincetown officials have approved wastewater capacity for a housing project proposed by local real estate developer Shankpainter Associates.

The proposal would construct 28 dormitory-style units, five studio apartments, nine one-bedroom apartments, and one three-bedroom apartment.

“Businesses in seasonal areas are finding mounting difficulties with housing staff—whether their seasonal or year round. And the staff are having difficulties that, as we all know, are getting worse with every passing month,” said Patrick Patrick, owner of Marine Specialties in Provincetown and whose family is also the owner of Shankpainter Associates.

“The housing in any popular, desirable resort area is becoming critically difficult to acquire.”

Patrick said the idea for the plan came as an answer to his difficulties finding housing for employees.

“I ended up with a number of employees living with my parents this summer because the housing they’ve had for 20 years is no longer available,” said Patrick.

Patrick also said project takes some inspiration from other similar ventures such as with J-1 housing programs and projects in Wisconsin in order to ensure safety and efficiency.

“For the proposal here we’re about two-thirds seasonal dormitory-type space. What has worked the best in the various facilities in Wisconsin is four to a room per dormitory, with private bath, and with shared kitchen, shared living room, on-site laundry, and 24-hour security. That is the formula that has worked best.”

He also said that the apartments were designed with year-round employees in mind, as opposed to the seasonal dormitories.

Though the project has successfully acquired an additional 9,150 gallons of wastewater capacity per day via a unanimous vote from the Select Board, the project is still only in its beginning stages.

The building may also play host to fall educational programs that could house artists, said Patrick.

Patrick also told the board that they wanted the board to consider possibly using the units as short-term rentals—either because tenants may leave early in a season or to help subsidize the cost of the project.