Happy new homeowners cut ribbons on IHT townhouses

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New homeowner Beth McElhinney cut the ribbon Thursday on her finished home as Island Housing Trust executive director Philippe Jordi looked on. — Photo by Tony Omer

A group of about 25 people helped new homeowners Geneva and Calvin Corwin and Beth McElhinney celebrate the completion of their new houses in the Island Housing Trust’s (IHT) Wentworth Way affordable housing complex off Lake Street in Vineyard Haven, early last Thursday evening.

Bright sunlight filtered by trees dappled the new grass in the yard of the two recently completed townhouses as IHT officials welcomed the new homeowners who each cut ceremonial ribbons.

The houses are the final two of six affordable energy-efficient houses built on the site by IHT in collaboration with the town of Tisbury. Four houses were completed in May of 2012 on the 1.38-acre site.

The nonprofit IHT provides permanent housing solutions that bridge the gap between the Island’s high property values and families in need, according to their website.

The Corwin’s bought one of the two two-bedroom townhouses for $184,500. Calvin Corwin grew up on the Island and now works at Granite Hardware in Edgartown. Geneva works for the Vineyard Playhouse and at the Little House Café in Vineyard Haven.

Beth McElhinney bought her two-bedroom townhouse for $225,000. She works for Sandcastle Reality in Edgartown.

The houses were designed and built with some of the latest in insulation and air conditioning technology, according to IHT executive director Philippe Jordi. Each unit has a living area with a half-bath downstairs and two bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor. A fully insulated attic and basement add storage space.

Chilmark builder Farley Pedler built the houses. “Farley has done an amazing job of building these high-performance, energy-efficient homes at a very competitive price,” Mr. Jordi said Thursday.

The Wentworth Way project is the result of the combined efforts of the town of Tisbury’s housing committee, the support of the town’s Community Preservation Committee, and the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, according to an IHT statement. The Edgartown National Bank financed the construction.

“These homeowners have an opportunity to build equity while keeping their homes affordable for the next generation of homebuyers,” Mr. Jordi said during the ceremonies Thursday.