Placemate consultants told the Affordable Housing Trust on Dec. 2 that their Rooted Renters rental‑preservation consulting engagement is advancing and that early findings support a pilot to preserve existing long‑term rentals.

Colin summarized Phase 1 (data review and stakeholder engagement) and reported the Nov. 6–20 landlord survey produced more than 100 responses, of which 61 were at least partially completed and 48 fully completed. Among landlords who completed the survey, the median response for an annual incentive that would encourage participation was roughly $6,000; the median length of interest in a multiyear commitment was five years. The survey indicated many participating units are one‑ to three‑bedroom properties and that a large share of properties are former seasonal or short‑term rentals converted to longer stays.

Placemate recommended pilot guardrails to the Trust: properties must be located on Nantucket and have been a year‑round rental for at least 10 of the previous 12 months; staff suggested allowing one property per ownership group to participate in the pilot (with exceptions to be considered) and prioritizing admissions by measured affordability if budget is constrained. Colin outlined model budget scenarios showing that $6,500 per unit per year for 20 units would cost roughly $130,000 per year, while larger pilots in the $400,000–$600,000 range could preserve 20–30 units depending on payout structure.

Board members asked clarifying questions about whether incentives include utilities, how to verify owners’ rental histories, and how to prioritize applicants. Colin said the team can use public records and third‑party services (property‑radar) to parse ownership and purchase dates and will return to the Trust with program guidelines and prioritization criteria in the next presentation (target: January). No formal funding motion was made for this item during the meeting.