Through our sister non-profit Island Affordable Housing Fund we have recently been accepting charitable donations of houses slated for demolition.  We call the program House Moves.  To date we have moved and renovated four in Edgartown, two in Oak Bluffs, and one in Tisbury. It’s a great program because it uses existing, sometimes historic, resources in a novel way to provide much needed affordable housing. See an articles in Preservation, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Fine Home Building involving house moves of historic buildings on Martha's Vineyard.

The engine for the program is the funding that the donations generate, because it is very expensive to develop land, move, locate, and renovate these buildings. Here’s what we do:

•  The Fund arranges to have the house (distinct from the land it is on) appraised by a licensed real estate appraiser, which costs the donor $500-800;
•  The donor works with his/her accountant or tax attorney to figure out the grossed up value of the tax benefit that will be realized from the house donation;
•  The donor commits to the donation of the house and a cash donation equivalent to the expected tax benefit to the Fund;
•  The Trust moves the house off the donor’s property.

This works for everyone. It provides the non-profits with the funds it needs. The donor provides a great service to the island and saves the cost of demolition and disposal (which are not inconsequential).

We are open to exploring all potential house moves.  The process is very complex, however, and there are often issues of house location, road width and tree overhangs, land availability nearby, and time available before house must be moved that preclude particular house moves.   

If you are interested, you will find that we are experienced, professional, and reliable, as we explore the various issues with you. 

If you would like to discuss a potential house donation, please contact the Island Affordable Housing Fund at (508) 696-0943.