(March 25, 2025)

In Year 2, Lease to Locals continues to prove it is the fastest and most effective way to immediately utilize existing housing stock to house essential workers. A valuable bridge program while longer-term solutions are developed, Lease to Locals currently provides stable year-round rentals for 68 qualified tenants and their families. While the most significant employer beneficiaries have been Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Nantucket Public Schools, employees from 54 different island businesses—spanning healthcare, education, hospitality, trades, and more—have secured housing through this initiative. This success would not be possible without the generosity of our donors—thank you!

Funding from the Town of Nantucket’s Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) has also been instrumental in supporting the program’s growth. We are especially grateful to AHT members and Town Meeting voters for their continued commitment to affordable housing on the island. 

We are currently accepting new applications from property owners interested in receiving cash grants in exchange for converting short-term rentals or vacant dwellings into year-round homes for local employees. With incentive amounts ranging from $4,500 to $27,000, Lease to Locals offers a practical, immediate solution to Nantucket’s housing shortage—creating stability for workers, reliable income for landlords, and vital support for the human infrastructure that keeps our island running.

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