Needs Survey results show money issues, housing and insurance as chief concerns
BY MARY LANCASTER
Results of the Human Needs Survey returned by 705 community members show that finding and affording housing is indeed a major concern for islanders, but what may come as a surprise is that the top ranking household issue among Nantucket's neediest is inadequate money to pay a doctor, dentist or buy prescriptions followed by not being able to pay for or obtain dental insurance.

In April, the Nantucket Council for Human Services distributed 1,913 questionnaires by mail and in person in a random selection of one of every two year-round island households. One in five households, or 37 percent, responded. Once the data was compiled by The Family-Centered Institute of Brewster an overview was presented to the selectmen on Oct. 11.

This Saturday, Oct. 28, the first of three community forums will be held from 10 to noon in the high school's large group instruction room when participants will hear detailed breakdowns of the survey. Focus groups will follow when solutions to residents' problems will be examined and hopefully implemented, said Maryanne Worth, coordinator for the council.

The survey was the second one distributed since the original query in 1996 and placed households into four categories of very low income, mostly working poor representing about 1,735 residents; low income, mostly working poor representing approximately 675 residents; moderate to high income, with some retirees representing about 6,725 residents; and all retired, low income representing roughly 1,195 residents.

The most needy were found in the first two groups and total around 2,370 people in 645 households. The majority of them rent their homes and reported lack of money, mental health issues, overcrowded housing and lack of opportunities to improve their job situations.

Of all households responding to the survey, the top household issues were, in order, paying for or getting dental insurance, a lot of stress in the household, inadequate funds to pay for health care or prescriptions and a lot of depression in the household. The neediest ranked lack of money for health services or prescriptions their chief concern followed by paying for dental insurance, not enough money for housing and inability to afford recreational activities.

Under the topic of healthcare, the survey found that approximately 2,450 islanders in all responding households are without health insurance compared to 750 in the neediest situations.

For all surveyed in rental homes 23 percent live below 200 percent of the federal poverty level; 35 percent reported being at financial risk; and 20 percent said they did not always have enough money for food. The neediest renting reported at 38 percent below 200 percent of the poverty level; 37 percent at financial risk, 27 percent not meeting housing costs and 53 percent not always able to buy food.

Under income, 44 percent of all surveyed households earn below the county median of $75,000 to $99,999 with 68 percent of the neediest earning below the median. Of all households, 16 percent reported being unable to afford housing with that number jumping to 72 percent for the neediest category.

Serious substance abuse problems were reported by 11 percent of all those surveyed with 32 percent of the neediest households reporting that issue. Of all households with children up to age 17, 20 percent wrote that children or teens have behavioral or emotional problems compared to 34 percent in neediest homes. Being without a working vehicle when needed was reported by 10 percent of all households and by 37 percent of the neediest.

A lot of stress in the household was reported by 26 percent of all responding and 69 percent of the most needy. Alot of depression was indicated by 24 percent of all surveyed and 63 percent of the neediest homes.

The survey also included four open-ended questions: 'What do you especially like about Nantucket?'; 'What do you especially like about the people of Nantucket?'; 'What do you dislike most about Nantucket?'; and 'Please write your ideas or suggestions for making Nantucket a better place to live.'

Of all answers to what people like most about the island, its natural beauty ranked first compared to the sense of community as the best character chosen by the neediest. Schools came in last for all households and second to last for the neediest.

When asked what they like most about Nantucket's people, character and values scored at the top for all responding including the neediest and a relaxed lifestyle was last for both groups.

High prices and lack of affordability was top among what is most disliked about the island by both groups followed by traffic for all respondants and housing for the needy. Quality of life ranked last for all surveyed and the employment situation was last for the neediest.

When asked for suggestions on making Nantucket a better place to live, all surveyed answered encouraging local government action as the first choice followed by reducing traffic and increasing affordable housing. The most needy also suggested local government action which was followed by increasing affordable housing and then strengthening community organizations.

The council hopes funding remains available so that needs surveys can be circulated every two years to prevent the gap that occurred between the initial and this second method of discovering issues of importance for the island community.

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