Essential but Excluded: A Qualitative Study on Housing Accessibility for Workers on Martha’s Vineyard

Abstract

Martha’s Vineyard is a small island off the coast of Massachusetts. The island is treasured for its quaint towns, distinct architecture, and natural environment. Each year, it serves as a luxurious vacation hotspot, with a summer community significantly larger than the year-round population. As recorded in 2023, the median home value in Dukes County is $1.1 million (USD), and the median rent is $1371 (USD), resulting in 40% of households considered cost-burdened. Housing prices on the Vineyard have been climbing for years, but they have now reached an all-time high. The inelastic housing market is driven by the tourist industry, second-home owners, and the limited space available for development on the island. Essential workers are fundamental to every community. They provide irreplaceable services and help keep society functioning. Like elsewhere, they play critical roles on Martha’s Vineyard. However, with escalating home prices, this population struggles to afford living on the island, often resulting in inadequate housing arrangements. This thesis explores the issue of essential workers' housing access in light of the unaffordable housing landscape. I pose the question: How accessible is housing on Martha’s Vineyard for essential workers, and what are the hurdles and challenges individuals face when finding a place to live? To answer these questions, I conducted a qualitative study to gain deeper insight into the current obstacles essential workers face. I carried out 13 semi-structured interviews with essential workers and 4 interviews with government officials and housing organization leaders. This study finds that housing accessibility is often tied to one's social network. I label this advantage as community insider privilege. Individuals without this privilege tend to experience significantly worse housing outcomes, largely due to the lack of targeted policies addressing the specific needs of this group. In response to the disconnect between government action and essential workers’ housing needs, I propose policy strategies aimed at improving housing access. These include fostering greater coordination among the six jurisdictions on Martha’s Vineyard, reforming zoning laws, and encouraging long-term housing developments that prioritize essential workers.