News Feature
Originally published in
Island Ad-Vantages, November 16, 2023
McDonald named executive director of Island Workforce Housing
Genevieve McDonald has been hired as the executive director of Island Workforce Housing.
Island Workforce Housing has announced that Genevieve McDonald has joined the organization as its executive director. A former member of the Maine House of Representatives and a resident of Stonington, McDonald is a long-time advocate for the sustainability of coastal and island communities.
“Statewide, much of the focus on affordable housing has been directed at urban population centers. In order for year-round rural communities to continue to thrive we need to forge a path to address our critical housing shortage. The completion of Oliver’s Ridge is proof of concept that small towns like ours can collaborate to achieve effective solutions. I am thrilled to be part of this mission and what we can accomplish moving forward,” said McDonald in a press release.
As executive director, McDonald will support the mission of Island Workforce Housing to create housing solutions in Deer Isle and Stonington that are permanently affordable to individuals and families.
“Island Workforce Housing has been led for many years by a team of dedicated volunteers,” said IWH board member Sue Buxton. “We are grateful for what we have been able to accomplish with the support of our community partners and generous donors. We are growing as an organization and looking towards the future by hiring our first executive director.”
Oliver’s Ridge, IWH’s first project, consists of 10 two-bedroom, 930-square-foot apartments arranged in five energy-efficient duplex buildings.
The upland portion of the land was developed for rental housing, and the remaining property was put into conservation through partnership with Island Heritage Trust to be enjoyed by the general public.
The apartments serve individuals and families with household incomes between 60 percent and 120 percent of Hancock County’s area median income.
