Carol's Message
"Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together."
- Robert Redford
Dear Friends,
You may think Cook Inlet Housing's mission is focused on the "problem" of affordable housing. In fact, affordable housing is not a problem. It is an opportunity.
Together we have the opportunity to build a community that embraces the diversity and importance of a variety of workforces, cultures, lifestyles and dreams that make Anchorage a wonderful place to live, work and play. Having a stable home can change lives and our community forever.
The opportunity is simple. In order to be viable, a healthy community requires safe and decent homes, educational opportunities, thriving businesses, access to retail services and places to recreate. Fundamentally, whether the economy is strong or weak, the need for decent and affordable housing -- both rental and home ownership opportunities -- is important to the well-being of a community.
As we all consider the current unprecedented capital market and economy, I am encouraged by the continued and increasing conversation about affordable housing -- housing to address in-migration from rural Alaska, likely migration from the Lower 48 for jobs, and workforce housing to address the needs of employers like Target. The conversation is loud -- urging our community to identify ideas and solutions early.
This is an example of the "can-do" spirit of Alaska. As a fourth-generation Alaskan, I grew up knowing that my home town would always be a place to exercise the courage to do the right thing -- even if it meant taking risks. After all, if the State can build a 1,000-mile pipeline from the North Slope to Valdez, the opportunity to house our families in high quality, affordable homes should be easy.
Collectively, we have already made a difference for many families and individuals. Just this year alone, we provided new homes for 131 families! And our programs to help our families become successful renters and homebuyers are all at capacity. While we are making good progress, the need continues to grow in our community. Like everyone, we are stretching our dollars further so we can do more. After all, that is the way we in Alaska have always done things -- sharing and stretching our resources for that collective win.
Often times we are so focused on finishing what is ahead that we don’t take the time to reflect on what we've accomplished throughout the year. This year was particularly busy and rewarding. I'd like to remind all of you to reflect back on 2008 – celebrate your accomplishments and acknowledge the individuals and businesses in this great community that have participated along the way.
As I look back, I'm so proud to say that in 2008 you helped us exceed our expectations. CIHA certainly has many to thank ...
Throughout the year, our work continued at Grass Creek Village -- and in September we celebrated the Grand Opening of this mixed-income community, representing a number of firsts for Cook Inlet Housing and our partners. Grass Creek Village is our first-mixed income development, it is the first development built under the Municipality's town center design concept, it is the largest single development for CIHA -- a $25 million, 80 unit development offering one, two, three and four-bedroom homes with garages. And it is the most sustainable and low-maintenance development yet. Was there a need? We received over 580 applications for 80 units!
Particularly rewarding has been our fundraising campaign, during which the community generously gave nearly $100,000 to build a safe, accessible playground for our residents living at Grass Creek Village. Our CIHA staff contributed over $8,000 of their own money to bring this new playground to the residents of Grass Creek Village.
Along with our dedicated supporters, we are setting new standards for affordable housing. CIHA believes that by bringing people together we can effect positive change in our community. We get a better result when we work collectively, bringing our ideas, resources and talents together. Nowhere is this more apparent than with our Housing Forum. This year's concept -- "Small Community, Big Ideas, Yesterday's Neighborhood for Today" -- resulted in many exciting proposals, with KPB Architects presenting the winning design. The 11-unit condominium site plan offers four different energy-efficient house plans including a single-story, fully accessible unit and open community space -- all on less than one-quarter block.
Our goal was to bring a new approach to affordability by designing condos without common walls of less than 950 square feet that embraced community characteristics necessary to make density a welcome quality to home owners and the neighborhood. The development also proposes a more urban design than is typical in Anchorage.
It is rewarding to be part of new ideas that are founded by our own community. I continue to believe our community has the desire and talent to make Anchorage a leader in northern design and builders of community that bring the best of our village characteristics to an urban setting. This development is yet another example of our collective good work to move Anchorage forward. We look forward to breaking ground on this exciting development.
We are so proud of the recognition that CIHA and our own Bob Juliussen received during the Annual Parade of Homes sponsored by the Home Builder's Association. We are grateful to the Home Builder's Association for giving us their support and embracing our enthusiasm and work. We are humbled to be recognized by this very talented group. Award-winning design and affordable homes haven't always been mentioned in the same breath. We're excited to say that is a thing of the past. Please take a moment to read the words that CIHA's own builder Bob shares with us this month.
CIHA has engaged in numerous other developments and programs in 2008 that will have a positive effect on our community. We developed 31 new homes for seniors living in Palmer -- and continued to develop our social enterprise programs that not only enable CIHA to be more independent as an organization but also expand our services and create new funding mechanisms. If we ask our residents and clients to walk toward self-sufficiency, doesn't CIHA have the same obligation to be self-sustaining?
Our developments are our most visible product. But there is much work that takes place behind the scenes in an effort to support the people we house. After all, it is the people in our homes that are our most valued investment. And their security and happiness and future are why we continue to set the bar so high.
All of these accomplishments would not be possible without dedicated staff, a smart and courageous Board, and creative and talented partners. I am continually impressed and inspired by the number of individuals and organizations working in support of affordable housing here in Anchorage and throughout the nation.
Thank you all!
Carol
"Nobody, but nobody, can make it out here alone." - Maya Angelou