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.

Later this month the Tisbury board of health will vote on the proposed development of 20 new year round, affordable rental units located on State Road. After working hard to address abutters issues the Housing Trust believes it will be approved. Read more.