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Habitat for Humanity: Wheat Drive project nearing completion; advertising push drew no responses
Summary
Jerry Keneally of Habitat for Humanity told the Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust the Wheat Drive development should finish within months but cited construction delays and said a December–January advertising campaign generated no inquiries despite measurable reach.
Jerry Keneally, representing Habitat for Humanity, told the Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust on March 3 that the Wheat Drive development is expected to come to a close within the next three months and that four of six units will close once remaining site work is finished.
“We have to move some curb cuts…[and] with the cement plant closing or the blacktop plant closing,” Keneally said, describing construction delays caused by winter weather and local supplier shutdowns. He said current occupants have been making rental payments that “are converted into mortgage payments,” explaining how the organization is handling financing during the finishing phase.
Keneally said two units in a duplex (7A and 7B) still require interior work — kitchen cabinets, doors, trim and painting — and that Habitat is seeking volunteer help for finishing tasks. He added that Nancy Ann Lane in Richmond is the next planned four‑unit project and that staff and board members are coordinating funding and next steps.
On financing, Keneally reported the Trust has contributed $3,000,000 to the project and said the total spend “so far is $3,300,000.” The transcript includes inconsistent figures for a Community Foundation contribution (the speaker referenced both $47,600 and a different larger figure), so those amounts are notified here as stated in the meeting record and not independently verified.
Keneally also reviewed a marketing effort launched in December and January. He said the campaign — which ran print and social placements and that the team expected to reach readers through multiple ads — yielded “0 responses back,” and described the result as disappointing despite positive engagement metrics reported for impressions and reach.
Board members thanked Habitat volunteers and staff for their work on the project. Chair Brian Sullivan and board members asked brief clarifying questions about leadership transitions at Habitat and advertising timing; Keneally said some board leaders are stepping down at the completion of the project and others will assume leadership roles.
The Trust did not take any formal funding action at the meeting related to Wheat Drive; Keneally said he would report back at a later date with updates on the next project and final accounting.
