Community Events on Martha's Vineyard

JENNEY WAY LOTTERY FINALLY HERE! Historic Affordable Housing Sets Another Milestone

Edgartown, MA – Although Jenney Way is new to upper-Edgartown, this 10-lot affordable housing neighborhood's name may ring bells for the media attention it has garnered for its high-performance, green building, or its trendy "pocket neighborhood" feel. However, this Monday, a new chapter begins.

On April 28, 2008, the Island Affordable Housing Fund, in conjunction with the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority and the Edgartown Affordable Housing Committee, held the first affordable housing lottery of this size serving households in four different median income limits in one community. This is unheard-of in the Commonwealth, but commonplace on Martha's Vineyard. 26 families earning no greater than 80%, 100%, 120%, and 140% of the medium income of Dukes County for 2008 have been pre-qualified for the nine affordable houses that will be ready for occupancy in late-May. Affordable housing communities usually serve a certain income bracket, but as it is the case with Jenney Way, the Island Affordable Housing Fund looks to break the rules.

"Our communities should reflect the look and feel of other communities on our Island, including income variations", said Pat Manning, Executive Director of the Island Affordable Housing Fund. Our Board of Directors feels strongly that Jenney Way should blend in like any other community with the only exception that it is affordable to the homeowner."

The lottery was the culmination of hundreds of hours spent by the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, local banks, and the potential recipients themselves. The look on the faces of the families when they heard their name called when picked from the lottery box made all the effort particularly worthwhile says David Vigneault, the Executive Director of the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority. "All of the practical work leading up to that moment takes a backseat to the very personal reactions to the opportunity to secure your family's own home" said Mr. Vigneault.

Excerpted from Press Release from the IAHF.

Sharon Purdy, Owner of Sandpiper Realty Inc., is an active member of the Edgartown Affordable Housing Committee. The EAHC was an advocate of the Jenney Way project and was active in the selection process of the three homes that were given Edgartown preference. Sharon believes that there is no greater need on the Vineyard than decent, affordable housing for our residents, without it, we will lose the year round population that make this a viable, working community.