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Executive Update for November 2003

From the Executive Director…

I am sad to report that the plan that would have increased housing funds for Southeast Alaska has been put on hold. The plan or “Regionalization” could have resulted in nearly $20 million increase for Alaska. However, there is still hope.

Alaska ’s Senator Ted Stevens has one more year of service as Chairman of the U.S. Appropriations Committee, so there is more time to work on the plan. In the meantime there will be no change to current funding.

We will continue working to increase housing opportunities by leverage funding and combining services with other programs and organizations. Our goal is to be self-sufficient within the next three to five years. This means that all funding dollars will go directly to subsidizing family rents and home purchases. Our management team and staff have the expertise and experience to carry out these high expectations.

Other Topics

• Ricardo Worl named new manager of Tribal Service. Worl, manager of THRHA’s Mortgage Loan Program, will take on the management of the renamed Community Development and Planning Department. The new Tribal Services Department will partner with each tribe to develop long-term plans and programs to meet community needs. Worl will continue to oversee the mortgage loan program.
• Tribal Services visiting Southeast communities. Ricardo Worl and staff will be visiting all Southeast Alaska communities in the near future. They will be talking with community leaders about the benefits of regional funding and developing strategies for long-term housing related needs for each community.
• THRHA moving towards self-sufficiency. During January housing authority staff and management team will come together and develop a five-year plan that moves THRHA towards self-sufficiency. Two sessions are planned where staff will meet and discuss ways to develop more funding, cut expenses and increase assets. Staff will also be rewriting the housing authority’s mission statement.
• THRHA Receives HOP Grant Funding. THRHA was notified that it was the successful applicant for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s HOME Opportunity Program (HOP). The 2004 award is $531,051 with an option to renew in FY-05 for an additional year. The program provides down-payment and closing cost assistance for all low-income families throughout Southeast Alaska.
• Craig Moore, DCM manager, speaks at Yukon and Northern First Nations Housing Conference and Trade Show. Moore was invited to present information on renovations and upgrades. He is a sought after instructor for courses in construction planning and management, mechanical codes, building codes and advanced cold-climate homebuilding techniques.
• DCM starting work on Phase III Juneau Repair Loan Project. THRHA home repair crews are standing by for the go-ahead from Juneau Community Council. Approximately 40 homes will be repaired. Elders and families with less than 40 percent median family income (MFI) will receive total forgiveness of the loan. Families between 4l and 100 percent will receive partial forgiveness based on annual income and the amount of repairs. Repair work is health and safety related.
• THRHA seeks $9.1 million for 41 housing units. THRHA applied for funding from the IRS Tax Credit Program for Glacier Village Phase II (25-units) and 16 additional condo-style, rent-to-own units in Juneau. The 16-units are multi-family two and three bedrooms designed for smaller households and to maximize cost efficiency. Construction on the Phase II began last fall. Construction on the 16-unit multi-family units will begin as soon as the weather improves. Notification of the award is expected before the end of the year. Selection of the units will begin mid-year, 2004.