Corliss arrived here in 2013 for what was supposed to be a 5-month position at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Corliss regularly relocated to different parts of the country through her work with a traveling healthcare company. She felt a special connection to the island immediately upon arriving.

“I’ve been to a lot of beautiful places, but not like this,” Corliss said. “The people are so kind, and the natural beauty of the island continues to amaze me. It’s a place of peace.”

The hospital offered Corliss several contract extensions, which included access to temporary housing. Corliss gladly accepted. During this time, Corliss met Wayne, who worked at Hyline Cruises and the Nantucket Hotel. Their relationship blossomed and in August 2014, they were married at the African Meeting House.

Eventually, the hospital offered Corliss a permanent position. Corliss was eager to take the new role, but as is the case for so many island workers, housing presented itself as a challenge. Now a regular employee, Corliss would need to find housing on her own.

“One day, one of the benefactors of the hospital came to see me in the lab where I worked”, said Corliss. “I knew the lady through my role as a phlebotomist. She wanted me to accept the new job, but she knew I needed housing. The lady offered us her home for the winter, as she and her husband were seasonal residents and wouldn’t be using it. Their kindness was such a blessing.”

Corliss was grateful for a place to live, but she knew this was temporary housing. Once summer came, she and Wayne would need to move again. The transitions were taxing, and the housing insecurity prevented them from seeing Wayne’s two sons– Isaiah, who serves in the U.S. Army, and Malachi, a high school student. They needed a place that could accommodate them being together. Additionally, unpredictable rent increases made it difficult for them to save for emergencies and their future.

In an effort to find a solution to their housing struggles, Corliss and Wayne filled out Housing Nantucket’s rental application. They qualified for the Ready-to-Rent list and regularly kept in touch with the office, updating their application with recent documentation. When a vacancy finally opened up, they were ecstatic.

“The opportunity to have stable and affordable housing has truly been a priceless blessing for us,” said Corliss.

Housing Nantucket’s 38 rental units are leased at below-market rates to residents earning between 50%-150% of the Area Median Income.  All units have permanent deed restrictions to ensure that affordable housing options are available for future generations of Nantucket islanders. As part of our efforts to better serve a segment of our population, Housing Nantucket installed solar panels on several of our rental properties, including the house where Corliss and her family live. In addition to decreasing the utility burden for our tenants, these solar panels benefit the environment by contributing to wider solar acceptance and usage across the island.

Additionally, Housing Nantucket has twenty-three new rental units currently under construction. A capital campaign is underway to fund solar installations that will produce net-zero energy usage on these properties. Not only will these properties reduce the island’s carbon footprint overall, but they will relieve the heart wrenching dilemma so many islanders face on a daily basis: endure the hardships caused by inadequate housing, or leave the life they’ve built for themselves and the community they love.

Without the stress of worrying if they will need to move or if their rent will be raised, Corliss and Wayne dedicate their free time to their church community, participating in service work and outreach efforts.  In whatever role they are playing, Corliss and Wayne extend their warmth and positivity throughout the community.

“Thank you to all who support Housing Nantucket, as well as the wonderful staff, for being a great resource for our family and providing a stable place to call home,” said Corliss. “There are such good things happening here. By spreading this goodness to other places, this world becomes better.”

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