Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard has elected Doug Ruskin as president of its board of directors, replacing Ron DiOrio, who is stepping down after nine years as president.

Mr. Ruskin, a board member since 2007, also has held the positions of vice president of administration, co-chair of the building committee and a member of the executive committee. He also represents the organization on the board of the Island Housing Trust and is a past member of the Edgartown affordable housing committee

Mr. DiOrio, along with a small group of Islanders, founded the organization over 14 years ago to help address the crisis in affordable housing on Martha’s Vineyard. Under Mr. DiOrio’s leadership, Habitat on the Vineyard has built seven houses and moved one, serving Island families with incomes that are at or below 80 per cent of the median income for Dukes County.

Habitat organization has just started construction on the first of three homes to be built in Bailey Park in West Tisbury and is embarking on a capital campaign to raise $220,000.