For nearly a decade, David and Meg moved from one rental to the next – nine moves in nine years. Each time, they felt fortunate to have found a place to live, but like many year-round islanders, they were living under a constant cloud of uncertainty. 

“Each home we moved into was a blessing,” said David. “We always had a chorus of people telling us how lucky we were to be living there and to have even found a place to live at all. Many in that chorus were in the same boat as ours– families trying to live and work on Nantucket without the blessing of secure housing.”

That all changed in March 2025, when David, Meg, and their young daughter were offered the chance to move into one of Housing Nantucket’s newly completed rental homes. The house had been slated for demolition, but was instead donated to our organization and relocated across the island through our House Recycling Program. Once set on a new foundation, it was expanded and a full basement was added, doubling the livable space and creating a comfortable home for a growing family.

Now, with long-term stability and room to thrive, Meg continues to run her popular yoga studio while David focuses on his work in community mental health as a principal at a local nonprofit.

“Incredibly, we found ourselves in another one of these beautiful homes but this time it was different,” David said. “This time we could finally settle and not worry about having to leave in the Spring or try to convince our landlord to give us another year on our lease. This time we felt like we were home. Now I wonder how I managed to live under that cloud of uncertainty for so long. I truly feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

“Housing Nantucket has given my family the ability to dream about our future here on the Island,” said David. “It’s allowed me to focus on my career in mental health in a way that I wasn’t before, in a way that I hadn’t even thought possible. Now that my family truly has secure housing I feel like I’m a part of this community in a more real and tangible way. Everyone deserves to feel this way and that is why I thank Housing Nantucket from the bottom of my heart for all the work they do to make this dream a reality for families like mine.”

David and Meg’s story exemplifies the mission behind Housing Nantucket’s work: creating a parallel real estate market that serves the people who keep the island running. By repurposing existing structures and developing homes that are both attainable and lasting, we help local families put down roots and build stability. This work is made possible through the generosity of our donors, whose support turns opportunity into permanence for Nantucket’s year-round community.

Your support makes our work possible – thank you!