1. Policy Summary
This policy aims to implement a construction office to construct more affordable housing rather than relying on subsidies and tax breaks. The conceptualized program could function independently of private contractors or could (if resources and contractors allow) purchase said contractors.
2. Background & Rationale
- Nearly every single type of housing price is up across the state and city.
- The municipality has been trying to spark housing creation via tax breaks and subsidies since 2019, with little to show for it.
- Numerous developed western nations have proven housing creation programs that have kept rents considerably lower than Alaska and the broader United States.
Sources / References:
- https://www.muni.org/departments/ocpd/planning/publications/anchorage%20economic%20indicators/13-2012indicators-housing%20in%20anchorage.pdf
- https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/AKSTHPI
- https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2019/03/06/developers-can-now-apply-for-12-year-tax-break-to-build-downtown-anchorage-housing/
3. Policy Objectives
- Significantly increase the supply of mid-rise and apartment style housing.
- Lower the cost of overall housing.
- Decrease government ineffectiveness by consolidating disparate contractors and housing authorities into one cohesive government body.
Luca Marchesani for Anchorage Assembly 