Does Martha’s Vineyard Have the Political Will to Solve our Housing Crisis?
In an opinion in the MV Times this week the belief that healthy communities need an adequate supply of housing is discussed. Read More.
An Unique Team Studies Affordable Housing on Martha’s Vineyard
A group of graduate students from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) visited the Island last week to talk with the Island Housing Trust and Island Food Products about innovative ways to create more affordable housing on the Vineyard. Read More
Owning a Home Makes All the Difference
Winning an affordable housing lottery on Martha’s Vineyard makes a big dream become a reality for island families and our community. Read more
100 New Affordable Homes by 2020
The Island Housing Trust is announcing its goal of developing 100 new affordable rental and ownership homes by the end of 2020! As the only developer of affordable housing on the Island, IHT was an active participant in the All Island Planning Boards efforts in 2016 to quantify the need for more affordable housing island wide (read article). Right now we are 1/3 of the way there with plans for 29 apartments at Scott’s Grove and Kuehn’s Way and 2 homes in Aquinnah.We realize we cannot solve the housing problem alone so we will be actively working with island towns and property owners to identify another 70 units within the next 6-12 months. Contact us now to learn how you can help by DONATING land or funds!
rendering of proposed duplex affordable apartments
One Percent for Housing!
Recognizing the urgent need for affordable housing on the island, Steve Bernier, in a recent real estate transaction voluntarily donated an additional 1% to the Land Bank, designating it exclusively for affordable housing use. The Land Bank, not having an existing mechanism to manage the money, returned it to Steve. Steve signed the check over to the Island Housing Trust, knowing we have on-going projects that need the funds.
What if everyone who bought property on Martha’s Vineyard also voluntarily donated 1% of the sale price to a “Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank”? It would mean that every year 20 more working island families would have stable year-round housing. What if the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank was in fact a real entity, just like the Land Bank? If we could work together to make this a reality we could guarantee the community’s ability to build housing to support the hundreds of people now living under uncertain circumstances. Read more about the need for more affordable housing here on the island and what we can all do to help.
