The Island Housing Trust broke ground on their newest affordable housing project Thursday that will be nestled in a wooded hollow on Greenwood avenue across from Camp Jabberwocky.

Community housing and town leaders dug into the dirt with green-tipped ceremonial shovels, some engraved with the names of completed housing developments.

“There’s been a lot of conversation going on about the need for housing in the community,” IHT board president Richard Leonard told onlookers, many of whom are involved in the project. “The people who end up owning these homes...are part of the character that makes the fabric of our community so dynamic and wonderful.”

The $2.5 million project set to begin construction in a few weeks includes three duplexes with six units total. The price of each unit will range from $225,000 to $275,000. The plan is for families to move in this November.

Project manager Derrill Bazzy and Island Housing Trust executive director Philippe Jordi — Mark Alan Lovewell

Families will be chosen this summer using a lottery system, with four spots devoted to West Tisbury and Tisbury residents because the two towns contributed Community Preservation Act funds to the project.

IHT executive director Philippe Jordi said the property was purchased through a $300,000 loan at one per cent interest from a family foundation that will become a “revolving fund” for future IHT projects.

“They’re really excited about it because it’s not just a donation,” he said. “It’s an investment that’s going to keep realizing new projects.”

Mr. Jordi said the energy-efficient homes are modeled on the Lake street IHT project and will utilize a state grant funded NitROE system currently being tested in Tisbury to reduce nitrogen levels.

Project director Derrill Bazzy praised the neighbors for supporting the project and being willing to deal with construction at their doorstep.

“They’re giving up something, but they told us they’re open to that because it’s important,” he said.

Mr. Leonard emphasized that the project is one small step toward filling the huge affordable housing need on Island, and there are many more projects to come.

“We have 53 units in the pipeline that should occur over the next two years. The number we need is about 1,100,” he said.