Developers and public officials gathered in Oak Bluffs Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of Tackenash Knoll, a 60-unit affordable housing development along Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. 

Formerly known as Southern Tier, the project is targeted for people making between 30 and 110 per cent of the area median income, and is being developed by the town of Oak Bluffs, Affirmative Investments and Island Housing Trust. Altogether, the project could provide housing for more than 150 Island residents, said Philippe Jordi, the CEO of the Island Housing Trust. 

Philippe Jordi said the new units could house 150 Islanders.

Ray Ewing

Philippe Jordi said the new units could house 150 Islanders.

Ray Ewing

About 40 people gathered for the ceremony at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Rink, which is next door to the 7.8 acre parcel where Tackenash is expected to be completed and ready for people to move in by 2027. 

Mr. Jordi told the assembled crowd that the project is coming at a time when the Island’s housing crisis is more apparent than ever, with only 38 per cent of the Vineyard’s housing stock used year round.

“We’re seeing the effects of the housing crisis more clearly than ever,” he said. “Essential employees are being forced to commute from off-Island because they can’t find a place to live here.”

After its initial approval at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the Oak Bluffs zoning board, the 40B housing project was renamed after a member of the Wampanoag tribe to honor the history of the land.

State housing secretary Edward Augustus was in attendance Thursday and spoke on behalf of Gov. Maura Healey and Lieutenant Gov. Kim Driscoll. He commended Island officials for their work in a place where the housing crisis is exacerbated.

State housing secretary Edward Augustus was impressed with the project in Oak Bluffs.

Ray Ewing

State housing secretary Edward Augustus was impressed with the project in Oak Bluffs.

Ray Ewing

“Every corner of Massachusetts is facing a housing crisis. Quite honestly, every part of the United States is facing a housing crisis,” he said. “It’s not unique to Massachusetts, but I think there are few places, like the Vineyard and Nantucket that are facing it in the extreme…I appreciate the kind of example that you set.”

The development includes the construction of 12 residential buildings and a community building. Six buildings will have three rental units each, five will have six units each and one will have 12 units. There will be 12 one-bedroom apartments, 42 two-bedroom apartments, and six three-bedroom apartments.

Mark Leonard, a member of the Oak Bluffs select board who previously served on the affordable housing committee, said he was happy to see the project, which has been in the works for eight years, reach this milestone.

“We’re very excited to reach the groundbreaking milestone today. It’s taken us a long time to get here,” he said. “Tackenash Knoll presents opportunities to our families, our friends and our neighbors…We believe that vibrant communities are built through careful planning, respect for the environment and fostering of social cohesion.”