After years of searching, and up against the clock, the Island’s only homeless shelter has identified a new location to house the Vineyard’s increasing population of homeless individuals over the winter months.
Harbor Homes, a nonprofit that aids individuals experiencing homelessness, is under agreement to purchase 112 Dukes County Ave. in Oak Bluffs, and has begun the permitting process to build a new Harbor Homes Center; they’ll likely have to go before regional and local boards for permitting.
In addition to the winter shelter, the property — next door to the Island Grown Initiative’s new food pantry facilities — has been identified as a location for a year-round educational center that would provide support services for shelter guests; the facility would come with office space for staff members.
Officials with the nonprofit say that easy access to public transportation in downtown Oak Bluffs and proximity to the new food pantry make for an ideal location.
There is currently only a foundation on the property, so the Harbor Homes team would have to build from the ground up. “The goal is to design the best shelter,” said Lisa Belcastro, director of the winter shelter. She said that any construction would be within all codes and zoning requirements.
Belcastro previously told The Times that non-negotiables for any new facility would be a dedicated space for women, a place for men, a kitchen, and a social space, and its state grant requires that the facility house at least 25 guests and staff. Showers, an oven, and laundry facilities would be a great addition, she said.
This isn’t the first time that Harbor Homes tried to purchase a permanent location. Last year, Harbor Homes entered into a contract to acquire 21 Hudson Ave. in Oak Bluffs, but due to concern from neighbors of the property, decided to withdraw its bid and look elsewhere.
The nonprofit organization has rented a space from M.V. Community Services for the shelter between the months of November and April since 2021, but the building is scheduled for demolition this upcoming February.
With the expectation that permitting and building may not be completed by the time the MVCS building comes down, the team is currently contemplating options for their guests should the demolition project stay on track.
“We are forever grateful to MVCS for their generosity over the years, but we knew this location was temporary. At times I worried that I didn’t know where we would land, but I believe 112 Dukes County Ave. will be a wonderful new home for the shelter,” Belcastro said in a press release Monday.
Harbor Homes is restricted to operating only during the winter months by a state-funded grant, but continues to provide year-round support to individuals experiencing homelessness with prevention programing and personal hygiene services. In recent months, the nonprofit started an outreach program called the M.V. Cares Outreach Coalition, a coordinated effort of many Island organizations and businesses to help unhoused Islanders.
“A permanent location will allow us to do all our programming onsite, year-round, and create much-needed stability for our guests,” Belcastro said.
This past year, though it could shelter only 20 people overnight, Harbor Homes saw 54 individuals throughout the winter season, 32 of whom were new to the shelter.
The project is funded through private donors, and Belcastro said they’re applying for more grants for construction.
