The Affordable Housing Toolbox -- Homebuyer Assistance

Homebuyer Counseling and Education

Homebuyer counseling and education are valuable marketing and outreach tools that can bridge the information gap and expand the pool of potential homebuyers, preparing them for a successful application and ownership experience. The Dukes County Regional Housing Authority maintains an Affordable Homebuyer Clearinghouse. For more information on homebuyer counseling and education see the Housing Assistance Corporation website at http://www.haconcapecod.org/

Employer-Assisted Housing

Employer assisted housing programs provide financial and/ or technical assistance to help employees locate or afford suitable housing. There are many types including forgivable, deferred, or repayable second loans, a grant, a matching savings plan, or homebuyer education. An employer may also provide financial assistance to renters by providing or guaranteeing the payment of security deposits and land month's rent, where required. For more information contact the Citizens Housing and Planning Association at (617) 742-0820 about the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Initiative.

You can contact the Vineyard Housing Office: 346 State Road, P.O. Box 4538, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or phone 508 693 4419.

You can also go to the VHO's website at http://www.vineyardhousing.org for more information.

The Regional Housing Authority has created an Affordable Housing Toolbox to assist towns in planning and creating local inventive housing solutions. The toolbox includes various affordable housing strategies from inclusionary zoning to how to secure land to types of funding sources that island towns and communities across the commonwealth are using. Much of the information was taken from a publication prepared by CHAPA and MHP entitled "Taking the Initiative - A Guidebook on Creating Affordable Housing Strategies."