Vineyarders mobilized by the Coalition to Create the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank had one mission on Thursday in Boston: to encourage legislators to pass the Island housing bank bill.
More than 200 Islanders are expected to take part in Martha Goes to Beacon Hill on March 23, an event organized by the Coalition to Create the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank.
On March 23, advocates for the MV Housing Bank Act will travel to the Massachusetts State House in Boston to encourage legislators to vote for the MV Housing Bank Act and local option transfer fee legislation.
Dozens of bills aimed at increasing affordable housing statewide have been filed since the Massachusetts Legislature entered its 193rd this month, including two that would create the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank.
Draft housing bank legislation will reach the state legislature unaltered, after state legislators suggested altering key aspects of the draft as it remains stalled at the state level.
Chilmark, West Tisbury and Oak Bluffs became the first towns to weigh in on proposed changes to draft housing bank legislation, with all three voting not to modify the document’s structure before sending it off to the state.
With each passing day, we see more and more evidence of the fundamental change in the culture and quality of life on the Island caused by the rapid changes in the housing market.
State Sen. Julian Cyr and Rep. Dylan Fernandes came before Island leaders on Monday to pitch a statewide real estate transfer tax, as political headwinds shift with the upcoming election.
Representatives from both Islands came together on Tuesday to discuss housing and other shared issues during a rare joint meeting that included nearly two dozen select board members.
