Our Island Home is a 45-bed Skilled Nursing Facility owned by the Town of Nantucket. The existing building was designed as “code-minimum” and there is no swing space for any additional programs or spaces to improve conditions for residents and staff. After only 45 years, the existing building needs replacement, partly due to a change in nursing care philosophy.

The majority of resident rooms are semi-private, with only three private “Special Care” rooms available. The existing room configurations restrict privacy, flexibility in care delivery, and the ability to accommodate residents with higher acuity needs. Building systems and infrastructure also limit opportunities for expansion, renovation, or modernization without significant disruption to ongoing operations.

Common areas, including the living room and outdoor patio, are limited in size and functionality. While these spaces offer natural light and harbor views, they were not designed to support current expectations for therapeutic programming, accessibility, or climate-resilient design. The outdoor areas, in particular, are constrained by the site’s footprint and exposure, limiting year-round use by residents.

The facility’s waterfront location, while visually appealing, presents ongoing challenges related to coastal exposure, climate impacts, and long-term sustainability. These factors complicate maintenance, emergency preparedness, and future capital improvements.

Our Island Home currently serves a diverse resident population with deep ties to Nantucket as well as individuals who relocate to the island to be closer to family. As resident needs become more complex and regulatory standards continue to evolve, the limitations of the existing facility underscore the need to evaluate alternative solutions that better support quality of care, staff operations, and long-term resilience.

Additional Resources

• Read here an Existing Our Island Home Facility Summary from December 2025.
• To view public presentations and important documents, visit this page.