Renewed Support for Home Building, Energy Upgrades and Teacher Housing

Grant funding has been a significant part of infrastructure development in Alaska for years. It’s most beneficial though when it helps Alaskans help themselves.

Recently, the Alaska Legislature allocated $7 million to help Alaskans build new homes. With inflation being through the roof, we are all tightening our belts. Building a home is an expensive endeavor, but the State is doing what it can to help ease the cost.

While Dunleavy originally proposed a $25 million down payment assistance program for new homebuyers, the 33rd Legislature only approved $7 million with more headed to low income housing projects.

What we like about the down payment assistance program is that when we build our own homes, we value and protect them. We have something to call our own. There is sense of pride that comes with home ownership.

How does it work? When builders are planning a new home, if certain energy efficiency standards are followed, the State will offer a $10,000 rebate to the prospective home buyer who could then use it as part of a down payment. Only time will tell how many new homes will be built because of the rebate program, but it will certainly help Alaskans get a leg up.

Already own a home? You will want to check out the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s (AHFC) weatherization program. The Legislature allocated $25.5 million to help make energy efficient upgrades, potentially saving Alaskan families thousands of dollars in energy costs going forward.

While the Legislature had some difficult choices to make in allocating funds last session, they did add significant funding for an AHFC program that builds housing for public workers in rural Alaska. As rural Alaskans know, getting qualified teachers, troopers and other state employees out here often entails creative housing solutions. Hopefully this new program funding will help ease that burden. I know the residents of the Copper River Valley would love to see more highly qualified teachers come here and actually want to stay here. Comfortable safe housing can help make that happen.

Let’s keep talking about ways to improve our rural communities. There’s certainly more to be done, but we need input from people like you!