Over 100 people joined members of the Island Housing Trust and the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center to celebrate the start of a project to build 12 housing units at 50 Bellevue avenue in Oak Bluffs for veterans.
The units are expected to be completed at the end of 2027, and there is currently a waiting list of approximately 40 veterans from the Island.
“To be honest, there are simply too many people to thank everybody individually, but I will just say that you know who you are, and how you have contributed,” said John Stanwood, real estate director at the Island Housing Trust, during the ceremony on Thursday. “The buildings behind us will soon stand to represent that ultimate thank you.”
Planning for the project began over six years ago, and in 2025 the Healey-Driscoll administration gave a boost to the project with a $2.1 million grant.
“[This] doesn’t happen by accident,” said Mark Leonard, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Oak Bluffs select board. “It requires the entire community moving in the same direction. And today, we need to celebrate the incredible entire Vineyard team as well as the Oak Bluffs team that has laid the groundwork for this project.”
Many speakers praised the help of Philippe Jordi, founder and CEO of the Island Housing Trust, who will be retiring in March.
“First of all, I want to say one thing,” said Robert Tankard, a U.S. Army veteran who is also a trustee at the Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition and a board member for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. “Five, six years ago I made this phone call. I called the gentleman that I thought could handle this program and that was Philippe Jordi. And when I called him, he was quiet on the phone, but when I met him, he had that smile. Philippe is the only one that has that smile.”
“None of this happens alone,” added Jim Seymour, a U.S. Navy veteran and the executive director of the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center. “Again, [Mr. Jordi], you and your team at IHT have brought a deep Island knowledge, a real development expertise and an unwavering commitment to year-round affordable housing.”
The effort was also aided by additional members of the Island community, including Dan Scannell, who organized a comedy show at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown as a fundraising effort for the project.
“I think it’s wonderful that the support has come from the Island to take care of the Island,” said Mr. Scannell.
After the remarks, members of the Island Housing Trust and the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center ceremonially broke ground at the site.
“When these homes open, veterans will have more than a roof over their heads. They will have security, dignity, neighbors, and support close at hand,” said Mr. Seymour.
This article appears in October 2 2026.
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