Housing & Homelessness

A review and summary of Rural Health Scholar research that addresses housing and homelessness on Martha's Vineyard.

Island Health Care

Cost of Housing

Scholar Observations

  • The high cost of living, specifically rent prices, make food and other basic needs hard to attain for working class households,  2012 RHS Presentation 
  • Local zoning also presents challenges for multi-generational housing/multi-family housing,  2013 RHS Presentation 
  • “If you build it, they will come” (referring to homeless people in response to building a shelter),  2015 RHS Presentation 
  • “If you don’t build it, they won’t come.” (referring to healthcare and other essential workers),  2013 RHS Presentation 
  • “Does everyone have the right to live here? And what happens if you decide that answer is no?”,  2015 RHS Presentation 

"I know my children will not be able to live here.", 2021 RHS Presentation

  • The housing crisis manifests as a loss of independence for young people – adult children are living with their parents throughout their 20’s and 30’s,  2021 RHS Presentation 
  • Strict criteria for affordable, tribal, subsidized, and expensive housing options making an individual’s search that much harder (ex. Families with children, couples, pets, need for storage space, etc.),  2021 RHS Presentation 

Scholar Recommendations

Summary of the Community's response so far  Coalition to Create a Housing Bank on MV   Island Housing Trust  MVH employee housing MVCS employee housing Summer businesses and employee housing

(Updated 6.17.2022)

Elderly and Accessible Housing

Scholar Observations

  • Seniors are overburdened by the high cost of housing, home maintenance, and the reality that there is “nowhere to go” on Island if they leave their primary home,  2013 RHS Presentation 
  • A shortage of housing for elderly caregivers has had a negative impact on the availability of elderly caregivers,  2013 RHS Presentation 
  • In 2013 the wait for elderly housing on the Island was two years,  2013 RHS Presentation 
  • Strong desire among the elderly community to age-in-place (plus it’s often the only option that allows them to stay on Island),  2014 RHS Presentation  &  2018 
  • A lack of alternative housing options creates a barrier for reporting elder abuse, 2014 RHS Presentation (not in the presentation, but domestic abuse too) A lack of accessible housing has had a negative effect on the health and wellbeing of those living with disabilities on MV,  2019 RHS Presentation 

Scholar Recommendations

  • Recommended increase the availability of affordable year-round housing options for seniors and the workforce that supports and cares for this segment of the population (includes age-friendly housing, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living units),  2020 RHS Presentation ‡
  • Recommended more homes be built with Universal Design or cohabitation in mind,  2013 RHS Presentation ‡

Summary of the Commuity's response so far

MVH employee housing and the forthcoming Greenhouse project

HAMV Home Safety Coalition for Aging in Place

Sober and Recovery Housing

Scholar Observations

  • There is a need for a sober living house and possibly a separate house for people using MAT, as well as a home for minors recovering from SUD,  2016 RHS Presentation 
  • Recommended Respite Homes for youth on the Island coordinated by Island Youth Services,  2015 RHS Presentation 

Summary of the Community's response so far

No Updates (6.17.2022)

Homelessnesss

Scholar Observations

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness are more likely to need food assistance services,  2012 RHS Presentation 
  • High summer housing costs exacerbates the seasonality of homelessness on MV,  2015 RHS Presentation 
  • Chronically homeless on MV: 3-5 individuals, some estimates as high as 150 seasonally
    • Families
    • Single mothers and children
    • Older single men
    • Where: tents, couch surfing, living in cars
  • Lack of transitional or affordable housing exacerbates homelessness,  2015 RHS Presentation 
  • In 2015 less than 1% of the population was homeless, but according to community members, that’s more than this community should have,  2015 RHS Presentation 
    • The Vineyard has more people working on homelessness than there are homeless people, 2015 RHS Presentation

Scholar Recommendations

Summary of the Community's response so far

Harbor Homes has emerged as a front runner in advocacy for the homeless population

Harbor Homes and IGI/The Island Food Pantry have begun a partnership to provide meal delivery to the shelters when they are open on a regular basis. Prepared meals are also available at the Island Food Pantry and are a critical resource for the Island's homeless community and the population living in seasonal housing with limited/no kitchen facilities.