‘It’s a vicious cycle’: Martha’s Vineyard steep housing and public safety problems push out workers

A new report lays out in stark terms just how many low- and middle-income folks are being forced to move away from Martha’s Vineyard as its popularity with wealthy vacationers soars, causing the year-round population of 20,000 to swell up to tenfold over summer.

Sheryl Taylor works as an administrator for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Each summer, she has to leave the island or stay with friends because she can’t afford the high seasonal rents.