housing

Akis Gialopsos (left), deputy executive director of the Alaska Housing Finance Corp., and Bryan Butcher (right), the corporation’s CEO/executive director, testify in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 8. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

With bills and budget boost, Alaska lawmakers use state-run corporation to tackle housing shortage

Legislature directed millions toward housing projects next year; Gov. Dunleavy will soon have a say.

 

A map shows areas of downtown Juneau currently considered at severe (red) and moderate (blue) risk of avalanches. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Assembly OKs new avalanche and landslide maps, with strong disclaimer for latter

Ordinance passes despite property owners’ objections, but discussion about its specifics not over.

 

An aerial view of downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Task force to study additional short-term rental regulations favored by Juneau Assembly members

Operator registration requirement that took effect last year has 79% compliance rate, report states.

 

Illustrations of four preliminary development options for the Telephone Neighborhood are presented in a report that states the “mid-rise apartments” option (C), bordered in yellow, was narrowly favored in a survey among residents. A total of 29.76% of 1,865 people surveyed said they favored that option, compared to 29.06% of respondents favoring the “mixed infill” option (D), and 24.99% “attached townhomes and walk-up apartments” (B). (Images by the City and Borough of Juneau)
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Building up to 200 new Telephone Hill residences, the most of four options, gets early Assembly OK

Option favored by 29.76% of residents in survey, barely edging out proposal keeping existing homes.

Illustrations of four preliminary development options for the Telephone Neighborhood are presented in a report that states the “mid-rise apartments” option (C), bordered in yellow, was narrowly favored in a survey among residents. A total of 29.76% of 1,865 people surveyed said they favored that option, compared to 29.06% of respondents favoring the “mixed infill” option (D), and 24.99% “attached townhomes and walk-up apartments” (B). (Images by the City and Borough of Juneau)
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The former Glory Hall shelter on South Franklin Street is sealed off from the public on Tuesday as workers inside convert the building to low-income apartments in the upper section and commercial space on the ground floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Glory Hall seeking commercial tenant as conversion of former downtown shelter continues on schedule

Low-income housing in upper section expected by May, commercial space downstairs includes kitchen.

The former Glory Hall shelter on South Franklin Street is sealed off from the public on Tuesday as workers inside convert the building to low-income apartments in the upper section and commercial space on the ground floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An illustration shows the conceptual design for Gastineau Lodge Apartments in downtown Juneau, which the project’s applicant hopes will be ready for occupancy by the summer of 2025. (Image from documents submitted to the Juneau Planning Commission)

Apartment building on Gastineau Avenue gets Planning Commission OK despite fire department concerns

Project in landslide zone also shows effect of Assembly’s vote to eliminate development restrictions.

An illustration shows the conceptual design for Gastineau Lodge Apartments in downtown Juneau, which the project’s applicant hopes will be ready for occupancy by the summer of 2025. (Image from documents submitted to the Juneau Planning Commission)
Caution tape and warning signs at the former Glory Hall shelter on South Franklin Street on Monday alert passerbys to construction that begin earlier this month, with seven housing units and additional commercial space scheduled for completion by next summer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Construction starts on conversion of former downtown Glory Hall shelter to affordable homes

Two-year permitting and legal battle raises cost 20% for seven housing units, plus commercial space.

Caution tape and warning signs at the former Glory Hall shelter on South Franklin Street on Monday alert passerbys to construction that begin earlier this month, with seven housing units and additional commercial space scheduled for completion by next summer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The frame of a house waits further construction in Yakutat with the assistance of the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority. On Monday the housing authority received a $2 million grant intended to help more than 100 families in Southeast Alaska with loans and other housing assistance. (Photo courtesy of the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority)

$2M grant for Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority seeks to help more than 100 Southeast families

Agency among six nationwide winners for programs “making homes more accessible and affordable.”

The frame of a house waits further construction in Yakutat with the assistance of the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority. On Monday the housing authority received a $2 million grant intended to help more than 100 families in Southeast Alaska with loans and other housing assistance. (Photo courtesy of the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority)
A map shows areas of downtown Juneau considered at severe (red) and moderate (blue) risk of avalanches. The Juneau Assembly is scheduled on Monday to give initial consideration to an ordinance regulating development in such areas. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Assembly to consider new hazard zone proposal to regulate avalanche areas, notify landslide risks

Warming shelter, off-road vehicle park, Suicide Basin monitoring also on agenda for Monday’s meeting.

A map shows areas of downtown Juneau considered at severe (red) and moderate (blue) risk of avalanches. The Juneau Assembly is scheduled on Monday to give initial consideration to an ordinance regulating development in such areas. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Maria Norman, 80, guides her wheelchair/walker toward the front patio space of the senior living building at the St. Vincent de Paul of Juneau complex on Teal Street on Saturday. About 30 Juneau residents visited the complex during the morning as part of a Friends of the Poor Run/Walk to raise money for the facility and its programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A step at a time toward housing stability

Annual fundraising run/walk for St. Vincent de Paul Juneau highlights improvements, ongoing needs.

Maria Norman, 80, guides her wheelchair/walker toward the front patio space of the senior living building at the St. Vincent de Paul of Juneau complex on Teal Street on Saturday. About 30 Juneau residents visited the complex during the morning as part of a Friends of the Poor Run/Walk to raise money for the facility and its programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature’s new apartment building is on budget, on schedule

A project intended to renovate a historic Juneau building into apartments for state legislators and staff is running on time and on budget, officials told… Continue reading

The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday the Assembly approved a program that will offer $13,500 to the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.

City OKs program to give 16 residents $13.5K grants to build accessory dwelling unit

City to begin accepting applications later this week, manager says

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday the Assembly approved a program that will offer $13,500 to the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.
The Dimond Courthouse building, home to the Juneau offices of the Alaska Department of Law, is seen across the street from the Alaska State Capitol on May 27, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

As more Alaskans face eviction, courts and service providers aim for solutions

When Raven Tulugak Lopez got an eviction notice on his door, it came with another piece of paper that listed resources to help avoid eviction.… Continue reading

The Dimond Courthouse building, home to the Juneau offices of the Alaska Department of Law, is seen across the street from the Alaska State Capitol on May 27, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
On Monday the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly moved an ordinance back to the Committee of the Whole that would require all short-term rentals to be registered with the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City stalls registration requirement for short-term rentals after public opposition

Nearly 20 residents gave testimony on the topic, many advocating for more industry input.

On Monday the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly moved an ordinance back to the Committee of the Whole that would require all short-term rentals to be registered with the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Wanda Fleming, a Juneau resident since 1973, eats dinner Wednesday with other new residents at the Riverview Senior Living complex. Fleming said she has been following the facility’s progress since she first read about it in 2021 and was among the first four residents to move in. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Riverview Senior Living complex opens

Initial group of residents and staff bond quickly, say facility helps address a critical shortage

Wanda Fleming, a Juneau resident since 1973, eats dinner Wednesday with other new residents at the Riverview Senior Living complex. Fleming said she has been following the facility’s progress since she first read about it in 2021 and was among the first four residents to move in. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows the planned phases for the Ridgeview subdivision, which as proposed will have up to 444 housing units upon completion. The Juneau Planning Commission approved 96 units as Phase 1 of the project, highlighted in the lower right, at its meeting Tuesday. (Rooftop Properties, LLC)

First 96 homes of 444-unit Ridgeview Subdivision OK’d

Planning Commission unanimously approves initial phase of complex, despite traffic volume concerns

A map shows the planned phases for the Ridgeview subdivision, which as proposed will have up to 444 housing units upon completion. The Juneau Planning Commission approved 96 units as Phase 1 of the project, highlighted in the lower right, at its meeting Tuesday. (Rooftop Properties, LLC)
A plane flies in front of a downtown Juneau neighborhood in early May. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved $2 million in funding during the Monday night Assembly meeting toward four affordable housing projects. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly approves $2M in funding for four affordable housing projects

Four applicants awarded funding set to be dispersed around February, according to city officials.

A plane flies in front of a downtown Juneau neighborhood in early May. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved $2 million in funding during the Monday night Assembly meeting toward four affordable housing projects. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A map shows the former downtown shelter operated by The Glory Hall is in a high-risk landslide/avalanche zone, according to an analysis updated this year. The building on South Franklin Street is located almost directly below homes on Gastineau Street that were damaged or destroyed by a landslide during a heavy rainstorm at the end of September. (Juneau Community Development Department)

Downtown Glory Hall housing proposal gets new rejection

Landslide that destroyed homes above former homeless shelter adds to questions about project’s safety

A map shows the former downtown shelter operated by The Glory Hall is in a high-risk landslide/avalanche zone, according to an analysis updated this year. The building on South Franklin Street is located almost directly below homes on Gastineau Street that were damaged or destroyed by a landslide during a heavy rainstorm at the end of September. (Juneau Community Development Department)
A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire) Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau.

444-unit housing project raises hopes, concerns

Backers of proposed subdivision say it addresses shortage, neighbors worry about impacts.

A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire) Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau.
This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

City OKs negotiation for potential affordable housing projects

City manager says it’s a “first step” toward addressing lack of housing.

This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)