Tag: Pat Swedeen

For one Sitkan, a dream of debt-free home ownership came in the form of a trailer

For one Sitkan, a dream of debt-free home ownership came in the form of a trailer

by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | May 21, 2021 | , ,

When people think of trailer homes, many envision shoddy construction and unhealthy living conditions, but in places like Sitka where construction costs are high and land availability is low, they’re an important affordable housing alternative. For one Sitkan, renovating a trailer provided a path to debt-free home ownership, and this resident is not the only one looking beyond the stigma of trailer living. Read More
A year after Sitka made space for tiny homes, no one is building them

A year after Sitka made space for tiny homes, no one is building them

by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | May 7, 2021 | , ,

Tiny homes have gained traction in recent years as an affordable housing alternative, but building them legally poses challenges in many communities. Sitka was one of the first cities in the country to introduce a set of tiny home friendly code changes last year. But, a year after passing the groundbreaking ordinance, no one is building them. Read More
Sitka’s getting its largest apartment complex in over two decades. But the developer says it doesn’t pencil out.

Sitka’s getting its largest apartment complex in over two decades. But the developer says it doesn’t pencil out.

by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | Apr 30, 2021 | , ,

When land is scarce, one way to make housing more affordable is to increase density by building apartment complexes and multi-family homes. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. In Sitka, the largest apartment building in over two decades is going up, but the ten units will be more costly than the market average. A developer behind the project says the economics just don’t pencil out. Read More
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