GHEC schedules discussion on Housing Plan for September Meeting
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Girdwood Housing and Economic Committee reviewed a draft Housing Implementation Plan. The plan was introduced at earlier GHEC meetings and is intended to be a strategy to address the shortage of affordable housing in Glacier Valley. (File Photo)
By Brooks Chandler
TNews Board of Directors
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Girdwood Housing and Economic Committee reviewed a draft Housing Implementation Plan.
The plan was introduced at earlier GHEC meetings and is intended to be a strategy to address the shortage of affordable housing in Glacier Valley. An analysis of the projected need for housing over the next 10 years is included in the 2025 Girdwood Area Plan.
GHEC co-chair Brett Wilbanks said the Housing Action Plan sets out a 10 step approach to addressing the lack of affordable housing based on a plan adopted by the resort town of Whitefish, Montana.
Step 1 includes development of a Housing Implementation Plan. As set forth in the Action Plan future steps could include establishing a task force, analysis of financing options and determining if zoning changes are needed.
Non-profits such as the existing Girdwood Community Land Trust are identified as a potential player in affordable housing projects. The plans envision “mixed use” projects developed in partnership with both the Heritage Land Bank, private developers and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Affordability would be achieved through deed restrictions, use of grant funding, public funding and philanthropy.
The Aug. 4 committee discussion indicated a much closer review of the draft plan was needed.
By a 4-0 vote GHEC decided to hold a work session to continue discussion of the plans at a meeting in September. Because of the Labor Day holiday the exact meeting date remains to be determined. upcoming meetings.
The draft plans can be found at https://www.muni.org/Departments/operations/streets/Service/Pages/gbos-ghec.aspx and then clicking on GHEC July 7 Meeting Packet.