The Island Housing Trust and MassHousing have closed on $1.12 million in financing for the seven-unit housing development, a former bed and breakfast in Vineyard Haven.
The fight for affordable housing on the Island cannot be won without a serious wad of cash, according to the activists for cheaper housing.
On Wednesday night at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury, advocates unveiled a plan that could funnel millions of dollars into the effort on the Vineyard and promise tangible results as early as next year in the form of cash for land and houses and subsidies for rent or down-payments on homes.
A recent benchmark housing needs assessment conducted by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission paints an increasingly dire picture of the Island’s housing crisis.
Three Island residents walked away from the Tisbury selectmen’s meeting this past week with the opportunity to buy a home close to downtown Vineyard Haven for a dramatically reduced price.
It’s been two years since Island Housing Trust began the affordable housing project at 150 State Road. The Dukes County Housing Authority organized the lottery, held this past Tuesday night.
As voters in four towns prepare to weigh in next week on a wide range of issues at annual town meetings, one issue has dominated Island discourse: the proposal to create a housing bank.
Question, concerns and support were all expressed at a housing bank forum held to discuss the details of two warrant articles coming to town meeting floor this season.
A campaign to establish a Martha’s Vineyard housing bank using revenues from the new short-term rental tax is running into stiff opposition in some Island towns.
In response to a proposed 34-lot Edgartown subdivision, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted Thursday to add more teeth to its affordable housing contribution policy for future developments of regional impact (DRI’s).
