The Island Housing Trust (IHT) and the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) are pleased to share significant news regarding our mission to expand supportive housing for veterans on the Cape and Islands. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced over $40 million in funding for eight supportive housing projects across Massachusetts, including the Bellevue Veterans Housing project in Oak Bluffs, co-sponsored by IHT and CIVOC.
Highlights of the Announcement
Bellevue Veterans Housing has been awarded $2,100,000 in state funding. This new construction project, located on town owned land in Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard), will provide 12 one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing dedicated to veterans. This is a significant investment in our housing initiative, projected to cost approximately $7,900,000.
All units are reserved for individuals at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), with additional deep affordability: three units each at 60%, 50%, and 30% of AMI. CIVOC will provide extensive support services to residents, ensuring a holistic approach to veteran well-being. This award is part of a broader initiative by the state to create 217 affordable rental units for
seniors, veterans, and formerly homeless residents, underscoring the Commonwealth’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations.
Strategic Impact
This funding will enable IHT and CIVOC to deliver on our mission of providing safe, stable, and supportive housing for veterans in our region. The Bellevue project will serve as a model for future collaborations and demonstrate the trust placed in IHT and CIVOC by state leadership and community partners. Our role in this project further elevates CIVOC and IHT’s profile as a leading advocate and provider of veterans’ services in Massachusetts.
Next Steps
CIVOC will coordinate closely with IHT and state agencies to advance the project toward groundbreaking and completion. If you are interested in helping support this project, please connect with our Director of Development, Jeffrey Begg. Jeff can be reached at jbegg@capeveterans.com
Further updates on project milestones, timelines, and opportunities for board engagement will be shared as information becomes available.
For more details, please see the official announcement:
https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-over-40-million-for-
supportive-housing-projects
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our veterans. We are deeply grateful to our exceptional collaborators at Island Housing Trust for their outstanding leadership and development capabilities on this project.
IHT is the leading nonprofit developer of permanently affordable, year-round housing on Martha’s Vineyard. Founded in 2005, it operates as a community development corporation and community land trust. IHT uses a nationally recognized ground lease model, where the trust retains ownership of the land and leases it to homeowners, ensuring permanent affordability and providing ongoing support and stewardship services. As of early 2025, IHT ground leases
land and rents apartments to around 60 working island families and individuals. The organization is actively engaged in large-scale affordable housing projects. Its largest to date is Meshacket Commons in Edgartown, a $34 million development with 40 units (36 rentals and 4 homeownership units). Construction began in August 2024 and is expected to be completed by November 2025.
To learn more about IHT’s mission, visit their website at www.ihtmv.org.
247 Stevens Street, Suite E, Hyannis, MA 02601
P (508) 778-1590 F (508) 778-l094 www.capeveterans.com