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Dukes County Regional Housing Authority

346 State Road, Tisbury
Mail: P.O. Box 4538, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Phone: (508) 693-4419
Fax: (508) 693-5710
Email: dcrha@vineyard.net
Founded in 1986, the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority (RHA) is a state-chartered county-wide public body serving the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Cuttyhunk. The purpose of the housing authority is to provide and facilitate the development of affordable, quality, year-round housing for the residents of Dukes County. It is a priority of the housing authority to address the housing needs of residents with low and moderate incomes.


Rental Apartments

The Regional Housing Authority currently owns or manages 42 year-round rental units serving over 100 island residents who make less than 80% of the area's median income. Over $3.5 million dollars has been spent since 1992 to renovate and construct 38 rental units.

Fisher Road Townhouses, Edgartown

This complex of townhouses consists of eight 3-bedroom apartments designated for family housing. Purchased in 1996, renovation work was completed in 1998. Each townhouse contains two apartments. Fisher Road Townhouses are located off Upper Main Street in Edgartown
Household income must not exceed 60% of the area's median income limits.

Vineyard Village Apartments, Tisbury

Dedicated in 1999 to the memory of Betty Ann Bryant, life-long advocate for affordable housing.
These twelve apartments of family housing, consisting of 2 and 3 bedroom units, were purchased in 1996 and completely rehabilitated over a three year period. One of the apartments is handicapped accessible. The atmosphere at Vineyard Village has a distinct sense of community and neighborhood. Vineyard Village is located off State Road in Vineyard Haven.
Household income must not exceed 65% of the area's median income limits.

Sepiessa Point Apartments, West Tisbury

This multi-family apartment complex consisting of four 1 and 2 bedroom units was built in 1997 by the island's design/ build firm of South Mountain Company. The property is located next to the Sepiessa Point Land Bank Property on the Tisbury Great Pond. One of the apartments is handicapped accessible.
Household income must no exceed 80% of the area's median income limits.

Greenough House, Tisbury

This 100 year old colonial revival home, located off Main Street in Vineyard Haven, has been renovated into six independent living apartments. These one bedroom apartments are designated for residents who are 55 years or older.
Household income must not exceed 60% of the area's median income limits for four of the units and 50% for two of the units.

Lake Street Apartments, Tisbury

Built in 1998 by the Town of Tisbury and managed under an agreement by the Regional Housing Authority, these apartments consists of three 2-bedroom units and one 3-bedroom unit.
Household income must not exceed 50% of the area's median income limits.

Lagoon Pond Apartments, Tisbury

This multi-family apartment complex in downtown Vineyard Haven consisting of three 1-bedroom units and one 3-bedroom unit was purchased and renovated in 2002 by the Regional Housing Authority.
Household income must not exceed 80% of the area's median income limits.


Halycon Way Apartments, West Tisbury

Built in 2002 by the Island Afforable Housing Development Corporation and managed under an agreement by the Regional Housing Authority, this duplex has two 2-bedroom units.
Household income must not exceed 80% of the area's median income limits.


Lagoon Heights Houses, Oak Bluffs

Built in 1994 by the Regional Housing Authority, these eight units provide living quarters and rehabilitative services to those persons needing mental health or addiction recovery services on Cape Cod or the Islands. The RHA does not accept applications or qualify persons for these services. Contact Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. at (508) 693-2003.


For rental applications or more information on these properties, please contact the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority at 508-693-4419.

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Five-Year Action Plan

The Regional Housing Authority's plan is to create a mosaic of small Vineyard-scale housing opportunities in partnership with island towns and housing organizations, including:

  • Rental Conversion Program aims to convert 100 seasonal rentals to year-round rentals by the year 2005. The program offers rental management services to homeowners and rental assistance to eligible tenants (island residents making less than 120% of the area's median income). The program also offers a no-interest loan program for the rehabilitation of substandard dwellings to safe, energy-efficent, affordable year-round rentals.
  • Purchasing existing properties that can be maintained or renovated and preserved as affordable year-round rental housing. Vineyard Village in Vineyard Haven and Fisher Road Townhouses in Edgartown are examples of RHA purchases that upgraded dilapidated properties.
  • The restoration and conversion of larger houses in town centers, like Greenough House in Vineyard Haven that has been converted into six independent living apartments for elder residents.
  • Development of small attractive Vineyard style housing complexes, like the Sepiessa Point Apartments in West Tisbury and a multi-family unit currently being designed for Halcyon Way in West Tisbury.
  • Well planned and carefully executed mixed income developments, typical of our neighborhoods in town centers or the more recent Island Cohousing neighborhood in West Tisbury, that clusters development while preserving open space.

The RHA is providing technical assistance to island towns by:

  • Establishing the Vineyard Housing Office as a place for islanders to work together on housing issues and a clearinghouse for rental and homeownership opportunities.
  • Assisting towns develop affordable housing by identifying and securing land, conducting feasibility studies, and secure financing and grant opportunities.
  • Assisting town housing committees with their resident homesite programs.
  • Designing a model deed rider that can be used by towns and housing organizations to ensure the perpetual resale of affordable housing.
  • Providing monitoring services and rental management services for deed riders that restrict owners of affordable housing to either rent to eligible tenants or sell to eligible homebuyers.
  • Organize Vineyard Housing Forums to create greater awareness of housing issues within the general public and share specific information with those working to create affordable housing solutions.


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Board of Directors

The Housing Authority is governed by an eight-member board of directors who represent each Island town and a member appointed by the Governor. James O'Brien (O'Brien Property Management, Inc.) provides property management as well as administrative services. Current board members include:


Leo Frame, Chair, Island-wide Representative
Abbe Burt, Vice Chair, Tisbury Representative
Melissa Norton, Treasure, Edgartown Representative
 Juleann VanBelle, Gov. Appointee
Ernie Mendenhall, West Tisbury Representative
 Richard Skidmore, Aquinnah Representative
Harvey Beth, Oak Bluffs Representative
Zee Gamson, Chilmark Representative

David Vigneault, Executive Director
James O'Brien, Property Manager
Terri Keech, Administrator
Barbara Smith Hoffman, Administrative Coordinator


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Links to Other Housing Assistance

Island Elderly Housing
(508) 693-5880
IEH develops federally subsidized housing for the elderly, disabled and handicapped. IEH currently owns and manages Hillside Village and Woodside Village apartments.

Housing Assistance Corporation
(508) 771-5400
Coordinates the Massachusetts Residential Voucher Program and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Section Eight Vouchers on Martha's Vineyard.

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and the Islands
(508) 693-6133 or (800) 845-1999
The Housing Authority provides two apartments to CAC for their Transitional Assistance Program on Martha's Vineyard. This program provides transitional housing and support services to homeless families for up to one year. CAC also runs homeless shelters on the Cape.

Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance
(508) 693-0210 or (800) 841-2900
Persons facing the possibility of homelessness or who need emergency assistance should contact MDTA.


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