The Island has received $2.5 million in federal funding to help low- to moderate-income Vineyarders maintain their homes and secure quality childcare.

Governor Maura Healey’s office announced last month all six Vineyard towns as beneficiaries of the Community Development Block Grant program, a long-standing federal program that supports communities’ social and infrastructural development needs. The program targets residents earning 80 per cent of the median income or less.

Oak Bluffs received a $1.25 million award that it will share with Tisbury and Chilmark, and Edgartown received $1.25 million to be shared with West Tisbury and Aquinnah.

Grant consulting firm Bailey Boyd Associates, based in Scituate, wrote the grant applications and will administer the grant for Oak Bluffs. Edgartown has not yet named a grant administrator.

“We’ve been working on the Vineyard for a really long time, and [we] love it,” said Bailey Boyd president Cassie Boyd Marsh. “We’re really touching a need that is not impacted by other sources of funds out there.”

The majority of the funds will support a housing rehabilitation program. Low-income homeowners can apply to receive up to $60,000 to fix critical issues with their properties with the help of a contractor.

“Certain things take priority, like lead abatement, failed septics and roofs,” Ms. Boyd Marsh said. “We start with the envelope of the building, so roofs and sidings and windows, and we prioritize the work that needs to be done.”

Homeowners receive grant money in the form of a loan, which is partially forgiven for each year the homeowner resides in the rehabilitated unit. These loans are fully forgiven after 15 years of residency.

The grants will also support childcare for low-income families. Parents or guardians who work or are seeking employment can be eligible for up to $7,000 per child, which can fund the childcare program of their choosing.

“As long as a childcare provider is insured and licensed to the state or under the public school umbrella, we will reimburse them for their tuition and attendance up to the maximum or whatever we have available,” Ms. Boyd Marsh said.

Islanders who think they may qualify for housing rehabilitation funds can apply with The Resource, Inc. Applications for the childcare subsidy program can be accessed through Bailey Boyd Associates.