Affordable Housing subcommittee readies videos, flyer and FAQs ahead of Town Meeting

The Affordable Housing Trust Funds Communications Subcommittee met Friday, April 4, and outlined a communications push for the trust ahead of Town Meeting that includes professionally recorded outreach videos, a revised flyer with a QR code linking to expanded FAQs, and a short social-media ad campaign.

The subcommittee discussed seeking a quote from Nantucket Community Television (NCTV) to professionally record short videos featuring trust program recipients, and exploring available equipment at a nearby East Chestnut Street location as a backup. Members said a single, consistent filming location and use of a tripod and remote would improve video stability compared with last year’s handheld recordings, and estimated each shoot could be completed in two to three hours.

Why it matters: the group intends to use the materials to explain trust programs and outcomes to voters at Town Meeting. Subcommittee members said the trust already has a budget line for advertising, which would allow the group to pay for recording or promotion if a quote fits the allocation. Because Town Meeting is two weeks after the next full-trust meeting, members planned to gather a quote and seek quick approval at that meeting so production can proceed.

Discussion and next steps

Members agreed on focusing the videos on program recipients rather than partner organizations to minimize confusion. Proposed participants included Habitat for Humanity beneficiaries, closing-cost assistance recipients, a tenant in a disability-access unit at a building referred to as “Wiggles,” and one well-known local resident, Joe Alvarado. The subcommittee also discussed contacting Lease to Locals participants and a recent Lake Drive Village Project representative funded through a Habitat grant as possible subjects.

The group asked staff to request a recording quote from NCTV and to verify available equipment next door at East Chestnut Street. One member offered to provide a crash course on the camera equipment that staff mentioned is stored there. Members said if NCTV is unavailable, they would use the local equipment and a tutorial to self-record.

On outreach assets, the subcommittee agreed to finalize a flyer and add a QR code that links to an expanded FAQ landing page on the trust website. Staff reported having a new intern who is a graphic design student and will handle artwork and ad visuals once the final text is approved. The plan is to circulate a draft FAQ and flyer for internal edits, request the QR code from the communications staff member who handles social posts, and bring final materials to the next full-trust meeting for approval.

Timeline and implementation: members said ads should run in the final two weeks before Town Meeting. The subcommittee anticipated quick review and approval at the next trust meeting, then producing videos and assets for release. They emphasized contacting and confirming participants now so availability is known before approvals are finalized.

Actions and formal business

Procedural motions at the start and end of the meeting included approval of the meeting agenda, approval of minutes from the March 27 meeting, and a motion to adjourn; each motion passed by voice vote.

Ending

Members closed by assigning follow-ups: staff and volunteers will gather the NCTV quote and check the nearby camera equipment, the subcommittee will circulate and finalize a flyer and FAQs, and outreach language will be prepared for the communications intern to design ad assets. The group plans to return the finalized materials to the full-trust meeting for formal approval ahead of Town Meeting.