NON-PROFIT FORMED TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE/ATTAINABLE 

HOUSING ON BLOCK ISLAND

New Block Island non-profit to focus immediately on increasing 513 Accessory Dwelling Units 

The Board of Directors is excited to announce the formation of the Block Island Housing Initiative, a 501(c)3 corporation, to address the lack of affordable/attainable housing on Block Island. 

The Block Island Housing Initiative will offer programs that encourage homeowners to renovate or build housing for year-round residents through grants to finance construction as well as grants to subsidize rents to increase the availability of existing housing for year-round residents.  It will first focus on a grant program to assist homeowners in constructing accessory dwelling units on their property that will be rented to qualified tenants pursuant to Section 513 of the New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance.  

Additionally, the Block Island Housing Initiative hopes to partner with both public and private entities to facilitate the purchase of property and conversion or construction of year-round housing on Block Island.

Robin Lewis Vila, President, explains: “The purpose of the Block Island Housing Initiative is to work to address Block Island’s serious lack of attainable housing, which has been identified as one of the most critical issues facing our community. The attainable housing shortage directly affects the ability of Block Island to sustain a healthy economy, which is largely based on tourism and means that many island residents — tradespeople, schoolteachers, police officers, town employees, service industry workers, and more — are unable to find adequate and affordable places to rent or own.  We feel that with the support of individuals, foundations, and government, we can make a meaningful impact on alleviating this problem.”

Board member David Howe adds: “This type of non-profit is long overdue, and we hope this becomes a vibrant organization by which year-round residents, summer residents and tourists who love Block Island can come together and help address the chronic lack of affordable and attainable housing.  Such an organization does not currently exist.  At its heart, Block Island Housing Initiative is about celebrating and protecting the Block Island community – one of the true island treasures – and we will work with the entire community to find fun, creative and collaborative ways to make a positive and contagious difference in affordable and attainable housing.

The Block Island Housing Initiative is now accepting charitable contributions.  For more information and to learn how to donate or otherwise contribute, please visit www.blockislandhousing.org/donate.