Juneau’s Affordable Housing Fund will provide funding to four organizations for new housing projects. This week, the Juneau Assembly approved $2,000,000 in loans and grants from the fund.
AWARE, a non-profit that assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, will be awarded a $200,000 grant to help develop seven affordable studio apartments in Douglas. Mandy O’Neal Cole, executive director, said that she is looking forward to providing housing in the area.
“It’s a great message for survivors and people at the low end of the income scale,” she stated. You live in beautiful neighborhoods and have access to the same stunning views and transportation as other people .”
Cole stated that the units will give survivors more privacy than transitional housing or shelters can offer. Construction will be completed by the summer, she said.
This is AWARE’s second round of grant funding through the affordable housing fund. This is also the second round of grant funding for St. Vincent de Paul. The nonprofit will receive $100,000 to maintain its Teal Street Shelter in Mendenhall Valley.
Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority plans to build 10 affordable homes with two- to four bedrooms in North Douglas within the next three year. Through the housing fund, they will receive a $500,000 grant.
The loan will be given to the fourth recipient instead of a grant. Rooftop Properties LLC, a Utah-based company, will borrow $1.2million to construct 24 units. It is part of a 444-unit planned project in the vicinity of Glacier Gardens, between Lemon Creek & Mendenhall Valley.
According The funding proposalspan styling=”font-weight 400 ;”>, 19 units would be at market rate of $1,925 for a one-bedroom unit, and $2,275 for a second-bedroom. The rent for the five other units will be $100 lower.
Joseph Meyers is the city’s housing and land-use specialist. He stated that it is important for the city’s to attempt to satisfy all housing needs. Juneau has market-rate options.
He said that it takes all types of housing to create a community.
The Juneau Planning Commission approves the first 96 units Rooftop’s construction this week.
