Housing Archives

Alaska’s ‘upside down economics’ keep supply low, demand high for new homes

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Dec 8, 2023 | Local News, Syndicated

While many other states are quickly adding new housing to meet rising demand, Alaska is not. A perfect storm of scarce land and high materials costs are keeping prices up for existing housing, and limiting the availability of new homes. UAA's Nolan Klouda explains "The Upside Down Economics of Alaska's Housing Market" for the Sitka Chamber of Commerce. Read More

Experts gather to talk Southeast housing solutions

by Meredith Redick | Sep 22, 2023 | Local News, Syndicated

Alaska’s population is shrinking, so why does the housing market feel tighter than ever? At Southeast Conference on Thursday (9-21-23), a panel of housing specialists highlighted key problems in the Alaska housing market and specific strategies to fix those issues. Read More

Restrictions on new short-term rental permits now in effect

by Katherine Rose | Sep 16, 2022 | Syndicated

Sitka is cracking down on short-term rentals run by non-resident owners. When the Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday (9-13-22), it adopted new rules for vacation rentals that require owners to reside on the same property for at least six months of the year. And all permits for short-term rentals will sunset when a property changes hands. Read More

Sitka (almost) tops state for short-term rentals, but long-term vacancies are high, too

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Sep 2, 2022 | Local News, Syndicated

As a proportion of overall housing, more of Sitka's stock is tied up in short-term rentals than anywhere in the state except the Kenai Peninsula Read More

A Sitka high rise apartment’s lone elevator has been out of service for more than a year, and tenants are frustrated

by Katherine Rose | Apr 22, 2022 | Local News, Syndicated

The elevator in Sitka’s only high-rise apartment building has been off intermittently – for over 15 months. The situation – although not necessarily illegal – is at best inconvenient, and at worst discriminatory for tenants who may struggle with seven flights of stairs. Read More