Our Mission

NHA Properties, Inc., d/b/a Housing Nantucket, was founded in 1994 by community members determined to stem the tide of Nantucketers leaving the island. We are the only locally based, private 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to equitable access to rental and homeownership opportunities for Nantucket’s year-round community. Built on a foundation of providing rental housing, we have expanded to include homeownership and education programs.

The Housing Crisis

Recognized worldwide as a premier tourist destination, Nantucket faces a pervasive housing crisis that continues to escalate. The island’s 2024 median home price of $3.7 million and the scarcity of land available for development have created a severe shortage of workforce housing. Homeownership is out of reach for 90% of year-round residents, and reasonably priced rentals have become nearly extinct. These conditions force many into unsafe living situations or even homelessness. Unreliable and impractical off-island commutes make it difficult to retain essential personnel, leading to employee shortages that affect local businesses and diminish the overall Nantucket experience.

Who We Serve

Housing Nantucket’s programs are designed to support year-round residents earning between 50–240% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Depending on household size, this equates to approximately $50,000–$350,000 per year. Our ability to serve households up to 150% AMI originates from Chapter 301 of the Acts of 2002, in which the Massachusetts General Court acknowledged Nantucket’s housing crisis and recognized the impact of seasonal tourism on local affordability. This legislation defined “middle-income persons and households” as those earning less than 150% of Nantucket County’s median household income.

Local Zoning Support for Middle-Income Housing

Nantucket’s zoning bylaw provides additional support for middle-income housing, allowing households earning up to 240% of the area’s median income to qualify. Specifically, Section 139-9, “Middle Income Inclusionary Housing,” defines a middle-income housing unit as a dwelling restricted to eligible households whose rent or sale price does not exceed 30% of gross household income for those at or below 240% of AMI.

This bylaw is designed to promote public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring a diverse year-round population. It aligns with the Nantucket Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, and other housing initiatives to foster sustainable, attainable housing solutions. Under this bylaw, an “eligible household” is defined as an individual or family earning no more than 240% of the median income, adjusted for household size, as reported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).

These provisions enable Housing Nantucket to develop programs that extend beyond the traditional 80% AMI restriction associated with many affordable housing funding sources, allowing us to serve a broader range of year-round residents.

Partnerships & Funding

Successful partnerships are the foundation of Housing Nantucket’s innovative approach to housing development. Project-specific grants using Community Preservation Act funds have played a significant role in creating much of our rental housing stock and have been instrumental in our success. Support from organizations such as the Community Foundation for Nantucket, ReMain Nantucket, and the Tupancy-Harris Foundation allows us to provide key services to the community. Additionally, our operational income comes from program and service fees.

How You Can Help

The generosity of private donors like you plays a critical role in expanding our impact. Today, over 50% of Nantucket’s year-round population struggles to afford housing. Until there are more attainable housing options, our community’s stability remains at risk. We are actively working to address this crisis, but we need your support. All contributions are tax-deductible under U.S. regulations. Together, we can create a future where Nantucket’s year-round residents have the housing security they need to thrive.