Mount Desert voters approve funding to build year-round housing

an aerial photo has an overlay of drawings.

Rendering / Courtesy Island Housing Trust Ripples Hill, initiated in 2006, offers energy-efficient homes for year-round residents working on the island.

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By Laurie Schreiber

Voters in the town of Mount Desert unanimously approved a $470,000 general obligation bond to support expansion of a year-round housing development called Ripples Hill Neighborhood.

The vote, held at last week’s annual town meeting, allows Island Housing Trust to move forward with the third phase of the project, adding nine homes for local workforce and families, according to a news release.

Included are extensions of roads leading into the development, along with the public sewer system.

Mount Desert is on Mount Desert Island, which is experiencing a pressing need for year-round workforce housing with the transition of many units to lucrative vacation rentals.

“This unanimous vote reflects a shared commitment to sustaining year-round communities on MDI,” said Natalie Osborne, the trust’s programs director.

Development on the island — home to Acadia National Park and a number of hospitality-related businesses — is constricted by the amount of park land, preserved land and the high cost and scarcity of available land.

Addressing the housing crunch

The Island Housing Trust's mission is to advance permanent workforce housing on MDI. Since 2003, it has partnered with individuals, organizations and the island's four towns.

Ripples Hill was initiated in 2006 on land, off Beech Hill Road, donated by the town of Mount Desert. The first two phases created nine energy-efficient homes for year-round residents working on the island.

The third phase, projected to cost $2.4 million, will double the neighborhood and complete the project.

Island Housing Trust was awarded a $350,000 challenge grant by an anonymous foundation.

“Private donations toward the challenge, combined with the matching funds, will help us reach our fundraising goal,” Jennifer Calderone, the trust’s director of advancement, told Mainebiz.
The trust expects to break ground later this year, with project completion anticipated in 2027.

The trust credited Durlin Lunt, town manager; Brian Henkel, public works director; Mae Wyler, finance director; the Select Board, the Warrant Committee and residents for advancing the project.