Work To Address Island's Housing Crisis Just Beginning

To the editor: I appreciate your recent article highlighting the significant demand for affordable housing on Nantucket, particularly the results from Housing Nantucket’s lottery for the newly constructed apartments at Wiggles Way. The overwhelming response, with applications thirty times the number of available units, underscores a critical need for more attainable housing on the island. And for the record, nearly all applicants are full-time island residents.

Nantucket’s unique charm, stunning landscapes, and historical character are cherished by both residents and visitors. I believe we can balance preservation with the urgent need for affordable housing through collaborative efforts. By doing so, we can maintain the island’s character and address housing shortages, ensuring that our heritage and future continue to thrive.

A key component in effectively addressing the housing crisis is the availability of suitable land. Integrating attainable housing into conservation and historic preservation efforts requires finding and repurposing land that supports these needs without compromising Nantucket’s unique attributes. Contributions of land for development are crucial in enabling the creation of community housing solutions while maintaining the island’s historic and cultural integrity.

Ensuring that essential workers—such as healthcare providers, educators, and service staff—have access to stable, affordable housing is vital for sustaining community services and the overall quality of life on Nantucket. These individuals are integral to the island’s daily operations and well-being, and their housing needs must be addressed to prevent disruptions in vital services.

To advance these goals, there is an urgent need for land that can be dedicated to affordable housing. Contributions in the form of land donations, financial support, and collaborative planning are essential for deploying effective solutions. By supporting these efforts, we can help ensure Nantucket remains a vibrant, resilient community that respects its historical heritage while meeting the needs of its residents.

For those interested in contributing, please visit Housing Nantucket’s website for more information on how you can get involved. We hope you'll join us for our benefit concert featuring Maggie Rose on September 5th at the Chicken Box. Through a multi-pronged approach that engages with island stakeholders, we are working towards a future that honors Nantucket’s rich history and addresses its pressing housing needs.

Sincerely,

Anne Kuszpa