Our Goals

Harbor Homes will offer a continuum of homeless prevention programs and services that address the housing needs of low income program participants. These will include a homeless prevention case worker who will meet with individuals and families who experience a housing crisis, a winter shelter, hotel respite for medically fragile individuals, and housing in a congregate setting. The congregate houses will be operated as educational facilities that offer a life skills curriculum for low income individuals. Each facility will provide a combination of affordable housing and support services to help individuals transition to more stable and productive lives and maintain successful residencies. Program participants will reside in single rooms (SRO) and have access to kitchen and bath facilities. Program participants will be required to help with program costs and contribute to the maintenance of the facility.

Harbor Homes Addresses a Critical Community Concern

Harbor Homes of MV is a collaborative Island initiative that has a bold and beautiful focus: to help individuals become healthy and productive citizens by offering them secure housing and individualized support. Martha's Vineyard has a rental housing crisis that has had the most serious impact on low income, vulnerable populations. Harbor Homes will provide congregate housing for individuals with incomes at or below 30% of the Median Family Income (MFI) for Dukes County and who are considered too poor for "affordable housing". Eligible individuals may include the low-income employed, elderly on fixed incomes, adults on SSI/SSDI, and unsheltered individuals living in poverty. Harbor Homes will offer the most accessible, cost effective and practical solution to responding to low income program participants who lose their housing. Harbor Homes will, in the future, expand its programming to families with children. We believe that Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard is a perfect fit for the island.

Harbor Homes is Based on Dignity, Respect and Love

Harbor Homes is a strengths-based program that acknowledges the unique contributions that all individuals can bring to a community. Each program participants will be required to assist with the maintenance and daily upkeep of the household and to pay toward program costs. Harbor Homes will provide housing as well as access to a case manager who will mentor and support each program participants in achieving his/her personal goals and move toward self-sufficiency.   Harbor Homes will be a quiet, safe refuge for adults to find hope and healing. 

Harbor Homes Will Change Lives

Currently, when faced with the loss of an apartment, low income program participants must turn to seasonal, illegal or unaffordable options, couch surfing, living in a vehicle or tent or moving to a shelter off island.  By contrast, participants of Harbor Homes will experience a safe, secure and supportive environment that promotes their emotional well being, personal dignity, successful tenancy and healthy engagement in the community.  Experiencing homelessness is considered a serious trauma with long lasting effects - emotionally, physically and spiritually.  It strips adults of their sense of dignity and robs them of hope.   Individuals who have no home address feel disconnected to our community.   Being relegated to sleep in a setting that is "not meant for human habitation" is a frightening and degrading experience.  Harbor Homes will provide Islanders with security and support, so they can function productively in our community as parents, employees, and neighbors.