Island towns are set to apply for approximately $1 million in federal pandemic relief funds to help with rental assistance, forgivable small business loans and homelessness prevention.

Nearly $2 million in community development block grants will go toward housing projects and child care subsidies in five Island towns, the state announced Thursday.

More than $2 million in community development block grants have been awarded to the Island and Gosnold this year.

Cong. William Keating, whose district includes Martha’s Vineyard, delivered a sharp rebuke to President Trump’s budget blueprint, which would eliminate Community Development Block Grants.

The state Department of Housing and Community Development has presented an alternative to plans that would have stemmed a key source of funding for low and moderate income households.

West Tisbury, a town which has only qualified for housing rehabilitation and child care funds every three years, is now eligible every year. But in neighboring Chilmark, it's a different story.

The health of the historic resort community is not in doubt. But a streetscape master plan project begun in January wants to identify parts of the downtown that can be improved. And planners want more public opinion.

Edgartown, Aquinnah and Chilmark will receive $869,884 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 21 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 30 families.

Salem is synonymous with witchcraft, Concord with the revolutionary war. But what is the identity of Oak Bluffs? The question was put to community members and state officials recently at a public discussion.

Ralph Gross stood in his brand new living room one afternoon this week, the freshly painted yellow walls and new furniture a far cry from the room that once held two bunk beds for his five sisters and mother.

“We washed the clothes over there,” Mr. Gross, 74, said pointing to the new red bathroom, once a washroom and now a full bath and handicap accessible.

“It’s pretty much the same, but so much better,” he said with a warm smile.