The flash of golden shovels against piles of autumn leaves heralded the first phase of the Island Housing Trust’s newest affordable housing project in Vineyard Haven, as groundbreaking for the Lake Street project took place last Thursday.

The 1.38-acre property was purchased by IHT from the town of Tisbury in 2009, after a town vote to use the land for affordable housing, but has been in the works for several years. It is the second partnership between Tisbury and IHT, the first of which was completed in September of last year with the construction of four single-family homes on Lambert’s Cove Road.

During his introductory remarks, Tisbury selectman Tristan Israel described the effort as a “lengthy, well-worth-it community project.” Mr. Israel thanked previous selectmen for their help in initiating the Lake Street project, particularly Cora Medeiros who, said Mr. Israel, “got the ball rolling on affordable housing in this part of the community.”

The project will consist of three duplexes when complete. IHT executive director Phillipe Jordi expects a springtime sale of the properties.

“It’s exciting,” said Mr. Jordi. “We’ve already had prospective applicants [at IHT workshops].”

Applications for the Lake Street homes are available until Dec. 2 and can be found on the IHT Web site (ihtmv.org) or at the Vineyard Housing Office at 346 State Road.