May 2019 Newsletter
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Inside this Home Delivery:
Older Americans Month: Safe, quality housing for our seniors
A place to call home
Juneau wrapping up home show season
HomeChoice™ goes online: Finally Home!
Spring home maintenance tips
Spark a connection by sharing your Alaska Housing story
Have questions? Call Betty
Lender of the week/HomeChoice™/Education opportunities
Spotlight on the Board: Meet our new commissioners
In the news
Letter from Housing Relations Officer, Jim McCall
Older Americans Month: Safe, quality housing for our seniors
May brings positive thoughts to most Alaskans. Not only are our days getting longer but temperatures are rising daily, and the fish are returning in droves. May is important in the senior community as it is recognized in Alaska, and across the nation, as Older Americans Month. This year’s theme is Connect, Create, Contribute.
What exactly do those things mean for seniors and their families?
1. Connect with friends, family, and services that support participation.
2. Create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment.
3. Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.
A place to call home
Seaview Terrace is not just a place to live. “It is a community,” says Marlene Sadowski, a 20-year resident of Ketchikan living at the Alaska Housing property for seniors.
Sadowski happily welcomed Alaska Housing staff to talk about how the corporation has positively impacted her life with affordable, stable housing. “Seaview is more than a place to live, it’s my home,” she said. Sadowski says residents look out for each other and develop friendships. “The staff is wonderful, they truly care about the residents and about maintaining the homes,” she added.
Juneau wrapping up home show season
Alaska Housing goes on the home show road around the state, reaching more than 12,000 attendees and spreading the word about the Corporation’s loan programs. What makes Alaska Housing loans unique? Many have assumable interest rates and are relevant for first-time homebuyers or those who have owned their homes for a long time but want to renovate.
HomeChoice™ goes online: Finally Home!
HomeChoice™ has been Alaska’s go-to homebuyer education class since 1994. More than 60,000 people have taken the in-person class.
As consumer behavior changes, more people are turning online to the home study version of HomeChoice™. In the last fiscal year, 24% of HomeChoice™ participants signed up for the home study version, up from 15% in FY17.
To meet the increasing demand for study at individuals' own pace, Alaska Housing’s mortgage department teamed with Idaho Housing and Finance Association. IHFA has had a federal department of Housing and Urban Development-approved online course since 2004 under the name Finally Home! By using technical underpinnings of Finally Home! and providing content specific to Alaska, Alaska Housing is responding to demand more online homebuyer education.
Spring home maintenance tips
Spring is here! Days are longer and brighter. Of course, with the melting snow comes lots of new and/or neglected outside projects, especially for Alaskans who might be uncovering hidden damage from the Nov. 30 earthquake.
Here are a few spring-cleaning tips to get you outside and give you a head start on your lawn and garden:
1. Remove debris that may have accumulated with all the snow. Rake leaves, prune and trim shrubs except for those that bloom early like lilacs.
2. Check the pH level of soil for a beautiful lawn and garden.
3. Get your lawnmower tuned and ready to go. This might also be a good time to bring out, clean the barbeque grill and make sure you have charcoal or gas when you’re ready for your first cook-out!
Spark a connection by sharing your Alaska Housing story
I believe in the power of stories. Every Alaskan has one.
The work that our staff does to improve the lives of thousands of Alaskans – whether through a first-time home loan, sparking ideas that result in energy efficiency at home, or providing support that keeps a young family out of homelessness – we know the work matters.
Have questions? Call Betty
Betty Hall’s title is energy information specialist but it could be “librarian”.
Hall is the sole staff to AHFC’s Research Information Center, RIC for short. If you need information connected to building science, she and RIC are invaluable.
If you’re not sure where to start, Hall will gladly find books or other materials that fit your need. RIC has an assortment of information for the do-it-yourselfer, technical books, building codes, statutes, various studies, information about the environment, small house plans, healthy homes and more.
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.
Education opportunities
Secrets & Science of Energy Efficiency:
May 21 // Online
HomeChoice:
May 29-30 // Palmer
HomeChoice:
June 10-11// Fairbanks
Spotlight on the Board: Meet our new commissioners
AHFC’s seven-member board of directors is comprised of three commissioners as well as four members from the public appointed by the Governor. Join us in welcoming Bruce Tangeman, Commissioner, Department of Revenue; Adam Crum, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services; and Julie Anderson, Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic development.
In the news
Growth of Alaska’s senior population outpacing available living options (KTUU)
Anchorage's senior community is growing at triple the rate of the national average. Two new senior living facilities are being built in Anchorage to support Alaska’s fastest-growing population.
Feedback or news you'd like to share? Email us at newsdesk@ahfc.us
