Nantucket Affordable Housing trust outlines plan to refresh videos, create digestible report ahead of town meeting

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Communication Strategy Subcommittee on Thursday discussed a plan to repurpose and re-film beneficiary videos, create a short public “housing report card,” and present a script to the Trust for approval ahead of the annual town meeting.

Subcommittee member Shonta Bliss Murphy opened the meeting and summarized the communications goal: “Heads in beds,” she said, arguing the messaging should emphasize “real people in the community” who have remained on Nantucket because of Trust programs.

The discussion focused on three related tasks: revising and standardizing testimonial scripts; deciding who to feature; and securing higher-quality video capture and a small production budget. Ellis said some videos recorded last year were not used because “some of the quality of the actual videos and, some of the video had departed from the script,” and proposed reviewing the script before re-filming. Alice recommended sending scripts to participants a week in advance so “they get more comfortable with the lines, and that way we could get a better quality video.” Abby emphasized starting with short, program-specific testimonials: “I think we should prioritize the part you said in the beginning talking about our program,” she said, suggesting the subcommittee highlight closing cost assistance and the buy-down and covenant programs.

Members proposed specific potential participants and story angles to clarify how Trust funds are used: individuals who received closing cost assistance; a Habitat for Humanity homeowner who also benefited from a Trust construction grant; a family who bought a covenant home (Marita and Jermaine Scarlett were named as possible participants); a household slated for an accessible unit at Wiggles Way; and a local business benefiting from a house-move loan grant (referred to in the meeting as “66 ProCheck”). Subcommittee members noted they would check availability and consent before outreach.

On presentation format, members discussed turning the existing fact sheet into a shorter, visually engaging “housing report card” similar to products shown during a training session run by MHP (the consultant referenced in the meeting). The report card would be a digestible, frequently updated public-facing summary distinct from the quarterly Select Board presentation that Christy provides online. Ellis said he would share updated data including confirmed unit counts, units under construction, potential units and total funding so the subcommittee can ensure accuracy.

For capture and production, the group agreed to aim for consistent backgrounds (for example, the same conference room or a white backdrop with the Affordable Housing Trust logo) and to avoid outdoor wind-noise problems that affected prior footage. The subcommittee will check whether Florencia or Town communications has camera equipment and whether NCTV could assist with filming. Members said they will seek Christy’s sign-off on data and any budget item; Shonta said the Trust would need to approve spending if the subcommittee requests use of advertising or production funds.

The subcommittee set a tentative timeline: present scripts to the Trust on April 1 (the item is already on that agenda), begin outreach to participants the day after that meeting, schedule recordings the following week, and hold a short follow-up meeting to finalize arrangements. Ellis said he would contact potential participants after scripts are approved and would share the updated unit data with the group.

Votes and formal motions recorded during the subcommittee meeting were procedural. Ellis moved to approve the agenda and Shonta Bliss Murphy seconded; members voted aye and approved the agenda. At the end of the session Ellis moved to adjourn, Shonta seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

The subcommittee also agreed to prepare a short budget proposal for production costs and to loop Christy and Florencia into email correspondence so the Town communications office and the housing office can confirm equipment availability and data sources. No final production contract, expenditure or publishing decision was made during this meeting.