Tribal council finalized the sale of the La Plaza Del Sol at 72 Main St. in Mashpee on October 31. With the sale complete, the Tribe can now look ahead to meeting urgent housing needs. To support this, Tribal Council also approved a new position of Shelter Manager that will help tribal members that live in the new housing.

The property was purchased using funds from the HUD ICDBG Covid Funds and American Rescue Plan Act. This project is a collaboration between the Tribal Council and the Housing Department. According to Vice Chairman Hendricks, most of the property will be dedicated to combating the tribe’s homelessness issues and providing shelter. The Chairman also spoke about the space being used for economic development where tribal members could rent out rooms.

The property has a history with the tribe as it was formerly owned by Chester Soliz and his wife Barbara Blake Bearse Soliz. Chester built the La Plaza Del Sol Motor Lodge from the ground up, and it was known as a family-friendly destination where loyal customers would return annually. Chester ran Del Sol for forty years until he eventually retired and sold the property. This current purchase will once again bring the land back into Wampanoag ownership.