October 2019 Newsletter
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Inside this Home Delivery:
Homelessness looks different throughout Alaska
Youth take energy pledge statewide
Alaska Housing enchants fairgoers with Loan Wizard
3 things every homeowner should do this fall
Shelters prepare for winter
Data provides efficiencies
Connect with Alaska Housing at upcoming community and industry events
Spotlight on the board: Meet Commissioner Tangeman
Homelessness looks different throughout Alaska
In rural areas, individuals struggling without shelter often find haven inside the home of another family member or friend. Without a nonprofit shelter and in some of the most extreme climates on earth, families don’t have another choice. That results in overcrowding and that leads to unhealthy air quality and environments that are not good for individuals’ overall mental health and well-being.
Youth take energy pledge statewide
Many Alaskans simply pay electric bills each month without a second thought as to which appliances are eating up the most electricity. A lesson in energy efficiency and learning how to calculate the cost of electricity for everyday appliances could help lower monthly bills.
Did you know that in the rural Alaska community of Lime Village, playing a PlayStation 4 for four hours a day could add up to an extra $400 on your electric bill in a month?
Alaska Housing enchants fairgoers with Loan Wizard
Alaska Housing hasn’t had a presence at the Alaska State Fair for 20 years.
That changed in August with the presence of the Loan Wizard. It’s an easy-to-use digital tool, developed by Alaska Housing, that assists borrowers and lenders to find what may be the right loan for a given situation.
To promote the Loan Wizard, Alaska Housing transformed its exhibition spot near the fair’s entrance into a “wizard den.” It featured a “Wheel of Fortune” game for kids with prizes including wizard hats that were later seen all around the fairgrounds. Parents benefitted from a hands-on presentation of the Loan Wizard at iPad stations or on their own mobile devices.
3 things every homeowner should do this fall
Leaves are falling and temperatures are dropping. Take this opportunity to look around your home and make sure you’re winter ready.
Here are three easy items to check off your list. If you’re up for more, visit our Resource Information Center Library.
Shelters prepare for winter
Shelters around the state prepare for families in need during the colder months The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter System has opened in Anchorage. Families seeking shelter are encouraged to dial 2-1-1, an Alaska-specific helpline that connects Alaskans with services, providers and other resources in their community. The emergency system in Anchorage provides additional shelter to families with children when other shelters are at capacity.
“Providing emergency housing is the first step on the journey for these families,” said Danna Larson, a volunteer and faith formation director at First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage.
Data provides efficiencies
Alaska Housing created the open-source Building Monitoring System known as BMON that measures real-time energy use to provide a summary of building operational performance. The energy use of Alaska Housing properties, including its headquarters, is managed by the system and data is provided publicly. With a click of a button, Alaska Housing can review energy-use trends and identify signs of potential problems in heat and electric supplies across its senior and public housing units.
Spotlight on the board: Meet Commissioner Tangeman
Department of Revenue Commissioner Bruce Tangeman joined the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s seven-member board of directors in 2019. As a board director, Commissioner Tangeman uses his vast experience in finance and public and private sectors to contribute to Alaska Housing’s success. Prior to his role with the state’s Department of Revenue, he worked as the vice president and chief financial officer of the Alaska Gasline Development Authority and chief financial officer of Doyon Utilities. Most recently, Commissioner Tangeman served as the policy director for the Alaska State Senate Majority.
HomeChoice™ schedule
AHFC offers a free class to help prospective homebuyers work their way through the decisions and steps that buying a home can entail.
What's on our calendar:
Connect with Alaska Housing at upcoming community and industry events:
- Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention in Fairbanks, Oct. 17 – 19
Feedback or news you'd like to share? Email us at newsdesk@ahfc.us
