Town Affordable Housing Committees
Each of the six towns has its own affordable housing committee, and these have created many affordable and community housing projects. Each town participates in the Community Preservation Act, providing vital funds for housing initiatives. Five towns (Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury) have adopted Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Funds, which provide a pathway to direct public funds to town and community housing efforts, and can accept donations of land and money for housing. Aquinnah is in the process of creating a Trust Fund as well. The funds benefit households with various Area Median Incomes (AMIs), depending on the town.
Other Vineyard Housing Organizations
- The Community Builders, Inc. TCB manages Morgan Woods (mixed-income housing in Edgartown) and will be managing more Island properties as town projects in development come online in 2024 and 2025.
- Dukes County Regional Housing Authority The DCRHA is a publicly chartered local housing authority that provides year-round housing options for the residents of Dukes County and assists Island towns and organizations in the development of increased rental and homeownership opportunities. It is funded by all six Island towns, owns or manages 71 rental units, runs a rental assistance program, and provides a wide range of housing support services to the Island.
- Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard Habitat relies heavily on volunteers, both professional and novice and partners with local groups to build simple, decent houses for deserving Island families.
- Harbor Homes MV Runs the winter emergency shelter and two congregate homes for unhoused Islanders, and provides caseworker services and support for those experiencing or transitioning from homelessness, or at risk of losing their home.
- Island Elderly Housing IEH provides 165 rental units for very low-income seniors and non-elderly disabled residents, subsidized through HUD and USDA.
- Island Housing Trust IHT is a community-based nonprofit organization that focuses on the development and permanent stewardship of land for affordable housing through long-term ground leasing.
- Island Wide Youth Collaborative Family Resource Center Provides a family rental assistance program, housing support, and other services.
- Wampanoag Tribal Housing Authority The Authority manages 33 rental and ownership units for members of the federally-recognized Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
Off-Island Resources
- Citizens' Housing and Planning Association
- Housing Assistance Corporation of Cape Cod
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
- Mass Housing Partnership
- US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Housing programs and loans
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development