A bill to establish a housing bank to fund affordable housing on the Island has cleared the Massachusetts House and is before the state Senate for consideration after failing in the House two years ago.

Rep. Eric Turkington, who represents the Vineyard, said this week he is heartened by the favorable vote by the House finance committee to create the fund, now before the Senate, that could create $2 million a year in affordable housing funds for the Island.

The Massachusetts house of representatives dealt a crippling blow to Vineyard affordable housing advocates last week, voting 91-64 on Thursday to d

Housing Bank Legislation Languishes as Lawmakers Ready to Recess Session

By IAN FEIN

With the state legislative session set to expire in 10 days, a proposal to create public housing banks on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket appears to be effectively dead for the year.

After a lengthy partisan debate, the Massachusetts state senate yesterday afternoon approved special legislation to create public housing banks on

Draft legislation for the proposed Martha's Vineyard Housing Bank will circulate around the Island this month as organizers seek public comment bef

Martha's Vineyard may have an affordable housing crisis on its hands, but it also has the community support and political will to address the issue