WELL PLANNED NEIGHBORHOODS AND THOUGHTFUL BUILDING DESIGN

The Island Housing Trust works closely with the community and prospective homeowners and tenants as we design and develop our homes. Our goals are to acquire property that is close to workplaces, accessible by public transportation, within areas that have already been developed, and to use existing housing stock through renovations and house moves whenever possible. We try to minimize impact on the land, fit our house designs into existing neighborhoods, as well as model our scattered site developments on existing neighborhoods. While achieving affordability is a primary concern, we are also committed to Green Building Practices that lead to low maintenance and energy costs. Partnerships between leading land conservation organization and the Trust have also realized the benefits of Conservation Based Affordable Housing.

Several recent green affordable homes built by the Island Housing Trust and Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard have achieved the highest green building certification in the country — LEED Platinum for Homes and/ or Energy Star Plus certifications, including this neighborhood of eight single-family homes in West Tisbury that were designed and built to approach zero net energy.