Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard is deferring homeowners’ mortgage payments for May and June of 2020 until the mortgage ends, with no financial penalty, according to an emailed letter from the affordable housing nonprofit to the Islanders it has helped to purchase homes.

“To help our homeowners during the economic crisis caused by Covid-19, further we will be paying your escrow (monthly taxes and homeowners insurance) for both May and June of 2020. These two payments of your escrow will not have to be repaid to Habitat,” executive director Greg Orcutt wrote.

In return, he wrote, existing homeowners are asked to volunteer, when they can, on future Habitat for Humanity home building projects on the Vineyard.