Housing program seeks applicants

MAT-SU -- An elderly resident has become confined to a wheelchair and is having difficulty getting in and out of the house. Across town, a young family is struggling financially and their roof leaks. Meanwhile, another family cannot afford to build or buy their own home.

These are the types of Valley residents the Alaska Community Development Corp. is working to help with a variety of programs. And while organizers are sure there are people out there who can benefit from the housing assistance the nonprofit group offers, they don't currently have as many applicants as they can handle.

"We have had in the past pretty good waiting lists," said Patrick Shiflea, executive director of Alaska CDC. "But we've pretty much worked through those."

Shiflea said CDC is particularly seeking applicants for its home rehabilitation and senior accessibility programs.

Funding for the home rehabilitation program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and it is designed to help homeowners to meet minimum HUD quality standards.

"It's a kind of complete, comprehensive look at the house with the goal of improving health and safety and the longevity of the house, and addressing code issues," Shiflea explained.

The projects range in price from $15,000 to $30,000 and have included roof and ceiling repairs, electrical and plumbing work, new windows and doors, heating systems, improvements to water and sewer systems and foundations.

"In other words, the tasks can vary widely depending upon the unique needs of each home," according to CDC.

This program targets low- and moderate-income families who own and live in their homes. Priority is given to seniors, people with disabilities and families with young children.

Shiflea said one of the complications CDC runs into with this program is that they cannot fund projects that do not completely bring the home up to the federal requirements -- some homes simply need too much work to be eligible for the program.

Despite these limitations, Shiflea said there are likely families that are eligible who have not applied.

"There are people out there," Shiflea said.

CDC is also seeking applicants for its senior housing accessibility program, which provides grants to modify homes so as to make it easier for elderly residents to live in them. Grants may be as much as $10,000 for eligible seniors who own their own homes and $5,000 for seniors who rent.

These projects have included wheelchair ramps, bathroom remodels and other work to make homes more accessible.

Eligibility for this program is determined by income, but Shiflea said the cap is relatively high -- around $50,000 per year.

Finally, CDC may be seeking more applicants for its rural self-help housing program, which offers low-interest loans and organization to assist a group of families in putting their own sweat equity into building their own homes. About 65 percent of the construction labor for each house is provided by the families, their friends, relatives and neighbors. The remaining labor is contracted out.

Funded by a federal grant, the program has enabled CDC to organize the construction of seven homes in the Butte. This spring, a different group of families will begin work on their homes in the Settlers' Bay area, and Shiflea said he is hopeful that a third group of homes will also be authorized. In that case, CDC will be seeking new applicants for this program as well.

The program is open to people with low incomes. Applicants must have good credit and be able to repay a loan, with the interest rate depending on household income. Rates can be as low as 1 or 2 percent.

House plans include ranch style, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes with an attached garage. The participants must contribute at least 30 hours each week to the construction of their home during the course of the summer, working weekends, evening or other available time.

More information and applications for all of these housing programs is available by visiting the CDC Web site at www.alaskacdc.org, by calling CDC at 357-4650 or by visiting the local Mat-Su office at 1265 Seward Meridian, Unit G, across from Wal-Mart in Wasilla.