Island Housing Trust

Island Housing Trust A non-profit developer whose mission is to create affordable year-round homes on Martha's Vineyard.

The Island Housing Trust acquires and creates permanently affordable homes, both ownership and rental. Using a nationally recognized ground lease model, the Trust lowers the initial cost of home ownership by eliminating land costs. In exchange, homeowners agree to sell to future income qualified homebuyers at an affordable price. This hands-on stewardship approach helps safeguard against the threat of foreclosure and ensures that homes on Trust land remain affordable for future generations of island families.

09/24/2026

Clean energy should benefit everyone. Through RAP, Vineyard Power has pledged $260,000 to support solar installations at Island Housing Trust affordable housing developments, including Kuehn’s Way, Meshacket Commons, Tackenash Knoll, Veterans House, and 401 State Road.

These projects will help reduce electricity costs while supporting more sustainable, affordable housing across Martha’s Vineyard. Island Housing Trust has also committed to passing 10% of the value of the solar electricity directly to residents, creating long-term savings for tenants. This is what community benefits look like: investing in affordable housing, reducing energy costs, and creating long-term savings for Island residents.

09/21/2026

What if creating more affordable homes could also help protect the land around them?

Kuehn’s Way in Vineyard Haven is one example of what that can look like.

The 20 permanently affordable rental homes were thoughtfully clustered on 14.8 acres, while 8.9 acres of the property were placed under conservation through a partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank.

The result is more than affordable housing. It’s a neighborhood for year-round Islanders, surrounded by permanently protected open space and connected to the Red Coat Hill Ancient Way.

At Island Housing Trust, we believe housing and conservation can be part of the same vision. Kuehn’s Way shows what’s possible when we approach both with long-term stewardship in mind.

Construction is well underway at Tackenash Knoll, a new neighborhood of 60 permanently affordable year-round rental home...
08/31/2026

Construction is well underway at Tackenash Knoll, a new neighborhood of 60 permanently affordable year-round rental homes next to the YMCA in Oak Bluffs. Leasing is expected to begin in early fall 2026, with the first residents anticipated to move in during spring 2027.

Join the interest list to be notified when leasing applications become available!
The Community Builders (TCB), the nonprofit property manager for the neighborhood, will oversee tenant applications. Go to www.TackenashKnoll.com to visit TCB’s website and join their interest list.

Homes will be available to households earning between 30% to 120% of Area Median Income, creating affordable opportunities for a wide range of year-round Island residents. For example, eligible incomes range from approximately $34,000 for a one-person household to $211,000 for a five-person household, depending on household size and apartment type. Find more details on income eligibility on TCB's webpage.

Photo by Randi Baird

08/01/2026

Two decades ago, Philippe Jordi founded Island Housing Trust with a concern: What would happen to Martha’s Vineyard if the community that made it special couldn’t afford to stay?

Please join us for a tour of Kuehn's Way on Thursday July 30 at 10:00am, to see first-hand what our community has helped...
07/27/2026

Please join us for a tour of Kuehn's Way on Thursday July 30 at 10:00am, to see first-hand what our community has helped make possible.

Completed in 2022, Kuehn’s Way is a neighborhood of 20 permanently affordable year-round rental homes in Tisbury that reflects IHT’s commitment to both housing and environmental stewardship. Situated on 15 acres, the neighborhood permanently conserves 9 acres of open space through a partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, while providing residents with high-performance, solar-powered homes designed to achieve net-zero energy use. By combining affordability, sustainability, and conservation, Kuehn’s Way helps protect the Island’s natural character while creating stable housing opportunities for year-round residents.

Full Summer Tour Schedule (all tours will last approximately 60 minutes):
July 30 - Kuhen's Way (Tisbury), 10:00am
August 13 – Carl Widdiss Way (Aquinnah), 10:00am
August 27 – 401 State Road (West Tisbury), 10:00am
September 3 – Tackenash Knoll (Oak Bluffs), 9:00am

Space is limited. To reserve your spot, please email Erin Hepfner, Advancement Director, at [email protected].

We look forward to sharing this special neighborhood with you!

Please join us for a tour of the Meshacket Commons neighborhood on Thursday, July 2 at 10:00 am.Completed this spring, M...
06/26/2026

Please join us for a tour of the Meshacket Commons neighborhood on Thursday, July 2 at 10:00 am.

Completed this spring, Meshacket Commons is a neighborhood of 36 rentals and 4 ownership homes, all permanently affordable for year-round residents. As the Island’s largest addition to affordable housing in nearly two decades, it represents an important step toward ensuring that year-round residents can continue to live and thrive on Martha’s Vineyard.

During the tour, you'll learn about the vision behind the neighborhood, meet members of the IHT team, and hear how communities like Meshacket Commons help strengthen our Island community.

Full Summer Tour Schedule (all tours will last approximately 60 minutes):
July 16 – Tackenash Knoll (Oak Bluffs), 9:00am
July 30 – Kuehn’s Way (Tisbury), 10:00am
August 13 – Carl Widdiss Way (Aquinnah), 10:00am
August 27 – 401 State Road (West Tisbury), 10:00am
September 3 – Tackenash Knoll (Oak Bluffs), 9:00am

Space is limited. To reserve your spot, please email Erin Hepfner, Advancement Director at [email protected].

Image of houses at Meshacket by Randi Baird Photography

JOIN JOHN MERROW'S 85 FOR 85 CHALLENGE!For his 85th birthday this June, John will ride 85 miles to raise funds for IHT. ...
06/12/2026

JOIN JOHN MERROW'S 85 FOR 85 CHALLENGE!

For his 85th birthday this June, John will ride 85 miles to raise funds for IHT. For nearly two decades, he has celebrated his birthday by biking his age in miles and inspiring others to give back.

IHT has an ambitious goal of raising $2 million for our 2026 summer campaign, and John Merrow, long-time Education Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, is riding to help us get there.

John is seeking eighty-five donations of $85 or more, to unlock up to $85,000 in matching gifts from John’s friends.

Cheer on John and make a lasting impact by donating $85 or more today!

Please visit ihtmv.org/donate to make your gift to John's campaign.

This summer we’re celebrating 20 years of impact. Together, we’ve created 210 permanently affordable homes for more than...
06/05/2026

This summer we’re celebrating 20 years of impact. Together, we’ve created 210 permanently affordable homes for more than 500 year-round residents, supporting families, strengthening our workforce, and sustaining the Island community we all care about.

Yet the need remains urgent. There are 10 applicants for every affordable home. Our Vision 2030 Strategic Plan calls for building 200 more permanently affordable homes to serve another 500 year-round residents by the end of the 2030.

With your help, this next chapter can be our most ambitious yet.

Our summer campaign goal is $2 million. Every gift to IHT is an investment that will last for generations. And thanks to a generous matching grant, the first $250,000 in gifts will be matched, doubling the impact of your support.

Please give as generously as you can today by visiting ihtmv.org/donate. Your gift will help bring stability and dignity to our year-round residents, and build a stronger future for our Island community.

Image of Meshacket Commons in Edgartown, by Randi Baird Photography

For 20 years, Philippe Jordi has led Island Housing Trust with vision and persistence. After founding IHT in 2006, he gr...
06/02/2026

For 20 years, Philippe Jordi has led Island Housing Trust with vision and persistence. After founding IHT in 2006, he grew it from a small, community-driven effort into the Island’s leading nonprofit builder of permanently affordable housing, and the second-largest Community Land Trust in Massachusetts. Under his leadership, IHT has built 210 homes, providing stable housing for more than 500 year-round residents. His impact will endure through the homes built and the strong institution he leaves behind, which will continue to serve the Island for generations to come.

Congratulations, Philippe, and thank you for your remarkable leadership and enduring contributions to our community! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

On Thursday we celebrated the completion of Meshacket Commons with a ribbon cutting. The new neighborhood in Edgartown b...
05/18/2026

On Thursday we celebrated the completion of Meshacket Commons with a ribbon cutting. The new neighborhood in Edgartown brings 40 permanently affordable homes to the Island, providing stable housing for approximately 100 year-round residents.

This neighborhood, which is the largest contribution to affordable housing on Martha’s Vineyard in nearly 20 years, was created by Island Housing Trust in partnership with Affirmative Investments, in response to the Town of Edgartown’s long-standing affordable housing initiative. This shared effort reflects what is possible when a community comes together to address the Island’s housing needs.

Photos by Mila Lowe

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21 Mechanics Street
Vineyard Haven, MA
02568

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