Finding Common Ground on Anchorage's Housing Puzzle
In Anchorage, a group of neighbors recently came together to tackle the city's housing challenges. They met at North Star Elementary School, some walking, others biking, driving, or joining online. For two hours, they discussed housing, a topic that's been causing quite a stir in the city.
Key Questions and Discussions
Instead of getting bogged down in arguments about how they got into this situation, they focused on four key questions:
- What could housing in Anchorage look like in 10-20 years?
- What types of housing are denser than average single-family homes and how can they fit into existing neighborhoods?
- What trade-offs are they willing to make to ensure housing is affordable for future generations?
Agreements and Policy Changes
The group agreed on some fundamental points:
- More housing units are needed, and existing ones should be preserved.
- Policy changes are necessary to meet the community's need for quality, livable, and affordable housing.
- State and local governments should invest in people and find ways to fund these investments.
- Policy changes should allow for smaller lots and more coverage for starter homes, with some modest guidelines.
They acknowledged that the city has made progress, but it's not enough to lower housing costs and keep up with the deterioration of old multifamily buildings.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Not everyone agreed on every detail, but they all want a thriving city where working people can afford to live comfortably. Change can be uncomfortable, but working together on the affordability crisis can make these changes more sustainable. Everyone would benefit from a city with:
- Reduced homelessness
- More young working people choosing to stay
- Thriving businesses
Get Involved
To join in these discussions, find your community council and attend upcoming meetings. The Anchorage Housing Working Group and the Anchorage Housing Club are two such groups that are passionate about housing.
