Does Alaska have an affordable housing crisis?
Does Alaska have an affordable housing crisis? Alaska Public Media News
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Alaska’s Affordable Housing Crisis
The Challenge of Finding Affordable Housing in Alaska
Across Alaska, finding affordable housing has become a significant challenge. Homebuilding and vacancy rates are decreasing, while rent, mortgage rates, and home prices are increasing.
The Impact of the Housing Crisis
The lack of affordable housing in Alaska has led to overcrowded homes, homelessness, and outmigration. Some officials have even labeled it as a housing crisis.
Erik Peterson’s Story
Erik Peterson, a 32-year-old Anchorage native, recently moved back to his hometown after living in Japan for four years. He currently lives with his parents because he cannot afford the high rental prices in Anchorage.
The Rising Cost of Housing
According to state economists, the average home in Anchorage cost about $469,000 last year, representing a 20% increase in just a few years. Rent prices have also been climbing across the state, with a 7% increase in the last year alone.
Factors Contributing to the Housing Crisis
The rising cost of housing can be attributed to various factors, including the increased cost of land, labor, materials, and transportation. Additionally, borrowing to buy a home has become more expensive due to high interest rates.
Affordable Housing Solutions
One organization, RurAL Cap, is addressing the issue by implementing its Mutual Self-Help Housing program. This program connects lower-income families with low-interest and subsidized mortgages, allowing them to build their own homes through sweat equity.
Rhonda Johnson’s Success Story
Rhonda Johnson, a participant in RurAL Cap’s program, was able to build her own home after years of hard work and volunteer hours. She now works for RurAL Cap, helping others achieve homeownership through the program.
The Potential of 3D Concrete Printing
Looking to the future, 3D concrete printing technology has the potential to significantly lower the cost of market-rate housing. Nome will be the testing ground for a robotic system that can construct homes using 3D printing technology.
Advocating for Change
Some Alaskans, like Erik Peterson, are advocating for changes in regulations to allow for more affordable housing options. They believe that relaxing the rules governing construction could provide a more immediate solution to the housing crisis.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 1.4: Proportion of households with secure tenure (owned or rented) with documented evidence of legal rights to their land or housing.
- Indicator for SDG 11.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
- No specific indicators mentioned for SDG 17.17, but it refers to the need for effective partnerships to address the housing crisis.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator: Proportion of households with secure tenure (owned or rented) with documented evidence of legal rights to their land or housing. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Indicator: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
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Source: alaskapublic.org
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