A new subdivision in Juneau will be getting some even newer construction workers next year.
The City and Borough sold a lot in the Renninger subdivision to the Juneau Housing Trust, which is part of the House Build project that involves high school students looking to learn more about the home construction business. The House Build program is a collaboration between the Juneau School District, University of Alaska Southeast and the Juneau Housing Trust, aiming to bring affordable housing to the local market.
CBJ sold the property to the Juneau Housing Trust for $95,000, which is exactly half of its appraised value. CBJ Lands Manager Greg Chaney said the project has the potential to be very beneficial for the students involved.
“House Build is a powerful educational tool that provides hands-on training and practical experience,” Chaney said in a release. “It provides students skills that last a lifetime and the opportunity to join the workforce after graduation.”
Students will begin working on the acre-sized lot this coming school year. The lot is zoned for 15 homes, giving the project a bit of longevity where students can work on it for years to come.
The sale price of the houses will not include the cost of the land, which remains with the Juneau Housing Trust in order to keep the prices low. There is a dearth of affordable housing in Juneau, and the CBJ has been looking for solutions. The Housing Action Plan, adopted in 2016, recommends the construction of 2,000 new housing units in the next 30 years.
The city hopes one of those solutions is the Renninger Subdivision, which aims to provide as many as 31 affordable housing units. Two lots have been sold to date, to the Alaska Housing Development Corporation. The lots are located near Dzantik’I Heeni Middle School, where the city built a new street — Jackie Street — to accommodate the new subdivision.
Chief Housing Officer Scott Ciambor, who has been heavily involved in various studies, including the Juneau Housing Needs Assessment in 2012, said the Renninger subdivision is an important part of Juneau’s housing future.
“This partnership is an example of CBJ utilizing its resources to meet the workforce housing goals noted in the Housing Action Plan. The project will be great for the overall economy and for the future residents of these homes,” Ciambor said in a release.
• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at alex.mccarthy@juneauempire.com or 523-2271.
