Harbor Homes, the nonprofit that runs the Island’s only homeless shelter, is again renewing a search for a permanent facility, after a denial from a local permitting board disrupted plans to secure a location in Oak Bluffs.
Harbor Homes had been looking to set up a permanent shelter on Dukes County Avenue, but the Oak Bluffs wastewater department denied a request earlier this year over concerns about sewage capacity.
This marks the second time over the past year that Harbor Homes has failed to find a permanent home. A year ago, the nonprofit faced resistance from residents on Hudson Avenue in Oak Bluffs. And it’s running out of time, as its temporary shelter is set to be demolished this winter. Meanwhile, Harbor Homes is seeing more and more guests at its shelter, including a record number last winter.
The nonprofit announced in late July that it was under agreement to purchase 112 Dukes County Ave. in Oak Bluffs. The property was set to be both a winter shelter and year-round educational center called the Harbor Homes Center.
In August, representatives from Harbor Homes, including board member and chairman of the facilities committee David Epstein and Peter Gearhart of Sullivan & Associates, went before the Oak Bluffs wastewater department for approval of a change of use or flow application.
Discussion around the request was continued to the next meeting, which took place on Sept. 25, where Dr. Brian Morris, executive director of Harbor Homes, said their request was denied. The wastewater application was the first request the nonprofit made in the permitting process, Morris said.
Gearhart explained to commissioners that the year-round educational program would offer classes, lunch, laundry, and possibly a shower to a maximum of 10 guests. For the winter program, they would need approval for additional wastewater flow to accommodate 28 guests, according to August 14 meeting minutes.
But commissioner Bill Alwardt expressed concern that the winter wastewater demand would be taxing after a busy summer season, and showers, laundry, and two meals for 30 people would be “significant flow,” according to meeting minutes.
When Gail Barmakian, chair of the commission, opened the discussion to the public, neighbors also raised concerns about the appropriateness of the location; commenters noted that the facility would be located in an arts district, and they raised concerns about increased traffic and the negative impacts to surrounding property values, according to meeting minutes. Barkmakian reminded the audience that comments were only relevant regarding flow. The minutes didn’t include names of the commenters.
Barmakian also explained that there would be additional capacity once the expansion from the current treatment plant is completed, but the wastewater department couldn’t guarantee an approval on the application at this time, according to meeting minutes.
The project wouldn’t be operational until the middle of 2026, pending approvals and construction, Gearhart said.
“Unfortunately, the town of Oak Bluffs denied our wastewater application at their Sept. 25 meeting. As a result, we had to terminate our agreement to purchase the Dukes County Avenue property,” Morris told The Times Tuesday. Harbor Homes cannot operate the shelter without the approval of that request, he added.
The meeting minutes from Sept. 25 haven’t been approved by the commission yet. Barmakian said they aren’t able to approve any applications that ask for an increase in flow because the wastewater plant is at or near capacity.
A year ago, Harbor Homes also had to withdraw its bid to acquire 21 Hudson Ave. after neighbors voiced concerns in front of the Oak Bluffs zoning board, and the project was referred to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
The search is more timely now, however. The shelter currently rents space from M.V. Community Services (MVCS), but that building is scheduled to be demolished this winter. Shelter director Lisa Belcastro said that once they need to vacate MVCS, shelter services will continue between two Edgartown churches: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and the Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard.
“We are forever grateful to MVCS for their generosity over the years, but we knew this location was temporary,” Belcastro said in a press release in late July.
The nonprofit must look elsewhere, but remains optimistic.
“The good news: We are currently exploring several options for alternative locations,” Morris said in an email to The Times, but didn’t specify where that might be.
Being a near neighbor of the Arts District I do wish the other neighbors’ names might have been included in the minutes of this meeting. Hard to believe we live among NIMBY people. Good for Gail Barmakian to remind folks that this meeting was about wastewater, not the lessening of the value of the homes in the area. Speaking of which, what about the other houses in vast disrepair on Dukes County Avenue? What do those do to the value of the abutting properties?
The number of illegal and inadmissible migrants living in Massachusetts is about 355,000, with about 50,000 new arrivals since 2021. Illegal and inadmissible migrants are eligible for certain welfare programs in Massachusetts, despite federal bars on access to certain programs. If Healey would slow this or stop this we wouldnt have a homeless issue–there would be plenty of room for homeless legal US Citizens.
How many illegal and inadmissible migrants are living on the Island?
How many are homeless?
Why are legal US citizens homeless?
andy– history has taught us, or at least some of us, that
blaming a certain group of people for all the things that
are wrong with a society is a road to hell.
The holocaust
Rwanda
9/11
oct 7
If you build it, They will come!
They are here.
What should be done?
Ignore them?
Hess they come because we welcome them. If we didnt offer so much they would go someplace else. Dont you get it?
That is one sad, neglected, depressing building. Doesn’t give the best optic.
Really, Oak Bluffs? I’m so disappointed that folks wouldn’t support this for our community. I live nearby too. We must think bigger picture on our homeless issue – these are our neighbors! Why not work to figure out the wastewater issue and move forward?
Joanne I agree. I’m surprised that an over excess of wastewater was not a concern when there were 9 individual airbnb units built where a landscaping garage had been. These units are in addition to I believe at least 5 units already there. And I’d imagine all units have bathroom and showers and most likely washing machines.
IEH still owns 2 lots at Woodside Village. Look into it.
Theres a beautiful property on Turkey Land Cove that sits mostly vacant. A home that was mostly purchased using tax payers dollars. Perhaps the owner of that home will open it up for those in need.
Mike– The problem is that during the winter, things get really
tough for the homeless.Why should they endure the hardships
of a new England winter when there are many
beautiful unoccupied buildings in Palm Beach Florida.
I’m sure quite a few homeless people here would be quite willing
to accept round trip tickets to there for the winter.
If course this would only be for people who wanted to go there,
and were fully informed about where they were going.
We could even notify the local officials there
so these people would be met with all the respect and compassion
that every human being deserves. And of course the good people
of Florida would stand up and meet the challenge, and welcome them with
open arms and provide them with necessary needs and perhaps jobs
and housing. Round trip airfare is about $200 by the way.
And if it turns out that any of the homeless people that we are talking
about turn out to be Illegal immigrants, I am sure they will be deported back
to where they came from by the kind and compassionate governor there,
and America will be great again. It seems like a win win for everyone.
Agreed, Don. The sprawling Obama estate is empty in the winter and could house many. Quick construction of “bunkies” on the large acreage (out of sight lines for the beautiful people, of course) could accommodate the summer homeless during the fundraising galas, and could, in fact, provide employment for the homeless without the need of expensive plane tickets to southern climes. What better way for the former president to demonstrate he is a man of the people.
John–Come on– you don’t think Obama is a “man of the people”
You think he is “elite”. — Right ?
But I do like your communistic ideals here.
Let’s just take the private property of hard working
people who have amassed a considerable amount of wealth
and even out the wealth disparity between the classes
by letting the most downtrodden live on their property.
It’s classic —
” A communist society would entail the absence of private property and social classes” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism
I put that link here, because I find that many people
who rail against the evils of communism often have no idea
what it actually is, and often accidently advocate for it’s
implementation — Example one is directly above this commnet.
I hope I haven’t offended anyone with my little civics factoid.
But I think it’s a little “shallow”– maybe that’s the wrong word,
but I can’t think of a better one right now–
to just single out one individual
of many on this island who have sprawling estates that are out
of the site lines of the beautiful people and are not occupied in the winter.
I looked up what it cost for round trip tickets before I posted.
Maybe that $200 round trip price won’t hold in all situations
but it would certainly be less than the $35,000 Florida
taxpayers spent on getting each of the 49 legal migrants
here just over 2 years ago.
I also am not proposing that the government pay for it
I’ll chip in $50 to help out a homeless person
who wants to go to Florida for the winter.
But I think it was a bit cruel of the gov.of Florida to lie to
people and offer them jobs and shelter and shipping them out of the
warm climate that they were used to and dropping
them off in New England in the fall.
At least you would think that $35,000 price tag could
have included a long sleeve shirt.
Don, I think the most expedient and charitable solution is to literally take matters into one’s own hands. You should take a homeless Vineyarder into your own home. And perhaps such a commitment would be an example for others. Problem solved. Good people, not good programs, will fix what’s broken.
John– just so you know–
I rent part of my house ( 4 bedrooms) out (2 rooms )
to a 72 year old and his adult child, who goes
off island to school in the winter. The rent is
about 1/2 the going rate.
Should I throw them out ?
Or should I just ignore zoning laws and put homeless
people in my basement ?
It’s pretty sanctimonious of you to suggest that other
people should offer up their houses.
And just so you know, when those Venezuelans got duped
into coming here, I offered my guest room as temporary shelter
for a single person or a couple. The other people here were
all for it. I don’t rent my guest room, as I keep it open for
friends or acquaintances who occasionally need
emergency shelter for whatever reasons, as well as friends
and family visitors of myself or my tenants. It is ALWAYS
free of charge.
I also donate to Harbor Homes– Excuse me for bragging !
How about you ?
What have you done ?
Got any suggestions other than utilizing other people’s
resources ?
John– do you think the septic system at the
Obama estate could handle the wastewater from
28 additional people ? or do think Obama could get
get an exemption and just let people defecate in the
pond ? I guess you do– great idea– much better to
take a crap in the Edgartown pond than the State forest.
Please tell me you agree, since this is your idea.
Thanks.
Keller, just as many other liberals have expressed, we know how much particular unfortunates are cared about. Here’s an idea why don’t you personally sponsor an island homeless family in the winter? That way you would not have to think up ways to dump the unwashed on others, nor would you have to waste any dollars at all on groups like the ADL, a group you admit you regret sending money to. Do it for your deeply held democratic ideals.
Jackie– Let me clarify once again–I never said I regretted
donating to the ADL– Lying about me won’t change that.
I have this years membership form sitting on my desk.
I’m thinking about renewing– I think the ADL is a good,
honest organization with an important mission.
It doesn’t help to have you constantly lie about
my thoughts about Judaism and your constant efforts to
baselessly defame me.
Keller. You should know by now it’s impossible to engage me in nonsense, so I’m not biting.
Here’s a history lesson for you, though. Forgive me because I’m no expert, but here are some basic facts on Ukraine you seem oblivious to. In the mid 1800s Jews were 30% of the Ukrainian population, my paternal grandmother’s family among them… until they escaped the increasing pogroms that took place, decimating the Jewish population there to less than 2% today. Are you familiar with pogroms? Think: October 7th. Didn’t you ever wonder why there are so few Jews today in Ukraine, a place you claim to be home to “your people”, when Jews were once such a thriving cultural and economic presence there? Pretending to know what you don’t know is never a good idea— not with me.
Yes, you are entirely uninformed and misinformed when it comes to Jewish history, culture, beliefs, the diaspora, and what antisemitism is. It’s like when a racist tells a racist joke that no one laughs at, and then complains that no one has a sense of humor. Being out of your league on certain topics is nothing to be ashamed of. Telling truth, however is not defaming someone’s character. Readers are entirely capable of coming to their own conclusions when it comes to truth vs lies.
Jackie — so if I point out that you are lying about me, that is
“nonsense” ? I agree , telling the truth is not defaming someone–
lying is– You just lied when you claimed that I admitted that I
regretted sending money
to the ADL. It seems like part of the problem in todays political climate
is that some people can’t distinguish a lie from the truth.
Both of my Grandparents on my mothers side left Ukraine because of
the same repression that was affecting your family. In 1933 Stalin
starved millions in Ukraine– Jews and goyim alike. My grandparents
as well as yours would have likely starved then under that repression.
But you clearly seem to think that a Jew starving to death is somehow
worse than other people starving. Why do you think that ?
And why do you think it’s fine for Putin to slaughter
modern Ukrainians with impunity ?
You certainly don’t talk much about the “pretty girls” that have
been abused and murdered by Russian troops in Ukraine.
Are they different than pretty Jewish girls ?
It’s NIMBYism. Find a fake issue to keep those dirty homeless people away from me. I would welcome a homeless shelter in my neighborhood.
Really, why do liberals always suggest shipping off the homeless and then complain that that is what conservatives do? When liberals publicly brag about where they donate, they never seem mention the island’s summer homeless. Moving off- island to a more affordable, year round place seems a more kind alternative, certainly for children, than heartless summer homelessness and joking about Florida, like Midnight Cowboy. If leftists want people to believe they care about the island shuffle, take in someone who gets kicked out of their winter rental. I know did it a number of times, but to be honest, I lived to regret it. The liberal left’s response to this issue is, as always, a cognitively dissonant hypocrisy, not at all reality based. Liberal left ideals are a sham.
Jackie– I think there were quite a few liberals here who mentioned the
island’s summer homeless. Including me. I am somewhat perplexed that
you say moving off island to a more affordable year round place seems
a more kind alternative than round trip air fare.
The conservatives here say–” leave if you can’t afford it here.”
Great advice– very kind. But if a liberal actually suggests a place, and
offers to help with the moving expenses, they are somehow cruel and “joking”.
Where do all the conservatives suggest these people go ?
Other than Obama’s house or some liberals house, of course.
And conservatives out there jumping to house these people?
What’s wrong with suggesting Florida? While Palm beach is expensive,
a 2 hour drive away in Larabelle , there are dozens of homes on the market
for less than $300,000. Surely year round rental units would be wayyyyy
cheaper than here. What’s wrong with that ? If they can’t cut it there, they can
come back if they choose to. No extra cost. OOOOOHHHH so cruel and heartless —
Has a single conservative here ever offered to pay a dime to help any of these
people move ? If so, I haven’t seen it. Just leave, they say, and that’s kind ?
And helping to pay if someone wants to go to Florida is heartless, cruel and
hypocritical ? Oh –the horrors– they can even come back if they don’t like it
there– And given the destruction from recent hurricanes, there are
likely a lot of people looking for help– That’s jobs–
Surely you must be joking , Jackie.
Jacki, you are once again correct to call out the liberal hypocrisy of the left when it comes to dealing with the homeless issue which has only been exasperated with 12 million new migrants. You correctly point out the blatant antisemitism within this community and are often attacked for doing so as I have been for correctly saying burning firewood is not a clean way of heating your home. Keep speaking the truth as your voice is needed. Respect.
Carl– that 12 million number is a lie.
Unless of course, you think people who have been
here for 40 years or more are “new” migrants.
And even then you are off by quite a bit.
And of course , conservatives can’t be accused of
hypocrisy on this issue because they openly
state that they couldn’t care less about homeless people.
And if you ever posted even a little shred of
factual information about burning firewood being
“unclean” maybe you wouldn’t be “attacked”.
Really ? “attacked” ? Is that how you really feel ?
You for some reason grab onto the idea that burning
firewood is dirty, and someone disputes that with verifiable
information time and again to back it up while you run on with
your opinion–
and you think that is an “attack” ?
Really? Let me repeat myself– Really ?
it’s the equivalent of ignorant people claiming that
electrical vehicle pose a fire hazard (they do
occasionally catch fire) even though
they are hundreds of times less likely to catch
fire than a ICE powered vehicle.
But I guess it’s comforting for you to play
the victim card…
keep on playing it– it’s all you got after all—
I find it interesting that you pick the fight about
this ridiculous subject and then whine about being the
victim when you are proven wrong…
In the boxing world, it’s called “rope a dope”.
And yes, Carl– Respect.
My respect to you too, Carl. The ugliness of hypocrisy couldn’t be more profound, along with an intolerance for and dehumanizing of half of America. There’s no debate, no discourse. It’s worse on social media that isn’t moderated, though. Harris supporters who know she is awful are as obscene as any terrorist antisemite I’ve ever had the misfortune to read online. It’s a cult. Glad to see others like you are not cowed by any abusive, arrogant, stubborn ignorance that often comes through here.
So let me get this straight:
This is a shelter where it would primarily be used in the winter, but the usage levels in the winter would be too high? A season in which well over half of the summer population leave the town and the island at large.
We must have the old wastewater plant in the world that goes south for the winter.
This is a pathetic attempt to block out a homeless shelter by using a bogus excuse. Shame on those who have put forth this lie.
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