Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority is the right tool for providing affordable housing opportunities and solutions in Southeast Alaska. We have the expertise and experience for building high quality affordable homes like Glacier Village, our newest subdivision. In 2004 we welcomed another 25 new families to Glacier Village Phase II and promptly started building Phase III. We've assembled a highly qualified staff of housing professionals and an excellent construction team to build some of the very best built affordable homes in the country.
Last year when Ketchikan Indian Community called for some advice on providing affordable housing, they quickly realized that they were calling on the right tool to help make their project a reality. The partnership between KIC and THRHA is the first time two housing authorities have agreed to combine resources and build much needed affordable housing. By summer 2007, KIC & THRHA will be welcoming 24 families into single, zero-lot, and multifamily units for rent or rent-to-own at the top of Carlanna Street in Ketchikan Alaska.
Our Tribal Partners know that THRHA is the right tool for creating affordable housing opportunities; they know they're getting the most economical tool for a better return on funding dollars when they name THRHA as their Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), especially with the rapidly decreasing federal funding. By 2007, some of our Southeast communities will realize nearly a 50% cut in funding. Our communities know how important it is to maximize federal funding and that combining efforts is the best use of resources. As we anticipate large budget cuts, we work hard to replace the government funding with "real" money raised by pooling efforts, cutting costs, and increasing investment returns. Our Tribal Partners receive the benefits of a full-service agency, minimal administrative cost, and the ability to offer more programs for their members.
In addition to building quality homes, we are actively developing and managing new programs that are unique to Southeast Alaska. Programs such as YABAH, Young Alaskans Building Affordable Homes, a partnership with the Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (SAGA) to provide at-risk teens with job skills in construction while working on their GED. Last year, they completed their third house and will be starting two more. The Student Housing Voucher Program helps college students pay for housing while enrolled in a school of higher learning. The IRS Low-Income Tax Credit Program is proving very successful for THRHA. Last year, we moved another 25 families into beautiful energy efficient affordable homes. We started building 16 units of condominium-style homes at Glacier Village, and were selected in the very competitive AHFC GOAL to build 24 affordable homes in Ketchikan Alaska. We are proud of our new and enterprising look. Our award-winning 30 second commercial is airing throughout the state enticing investors to develop new partnerships that will help sustain and create programs. We've created a five minute video, an emotionally moving presentation, showing families moving into beautifully crafted homes. But it's not only the look, it's the attitude. Our employees have enthusiastically accepted the challenge to improve customer service and think outside-the-box. We have eagerly taken the challenge to develop new business opportunities and cost saving strategies and pass them on to our partners and clients.
Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority is the right tool for building housing opportunities and solutions for ALL Southeast Alaskans!
