Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association recognizes HB50 for Best Practices
Today, the Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association honored Representative Les Gara and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation with its Best Practices Award for their work on legislation to promote vibrant neighborhoods and desirable businesses in low and middle income residential developments.
Dear Neighbors,
In most cities and towns you can walk downstairs and there’s a coffee shop, restaurant, day care, or other things we like nearby. I don’t know about you, but I love shoving a donut into a cup of coffee, and, frankly, downing a few (cups of coffee!) in the morning.
Rep. Gara Applauds signing of bill to lower housing costs and help local businesses
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) applauded the signing of a bill that will make it easier for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to build affordable housing and vibrant communities in Alaska. Rep. Gara co-authored the legislation with Representative Mia Costello (R-Anchorage), which they co-sponsored, after a business in his downtown district called his office concerned about a law that was forcing it to close a popular community restaurant at Inlet Towers.
Dear Neighbors,
Well, in my view this session has been a disaster with glimmers of good. I wish I could put a true and happier spin on this, but I can’t. I’m including two press releases, one good and one bad. The good news is a nice bill what we passed with Rep. Mia Costello which will make Anchorage and Alaska more vibrant, and that will cost-effectively reduce the low and middle-income housing shortage in Anchorage.
Jointly Written Costello and Gara Bill Makes Communities and AHFC Housing More Vibrant, More Available
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) issued the following statement on a bill sponsor Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) and he as a co-sponsor wrote and worked on together. The Bill, HB 50, passed the Legislature today.
“We need to take charge to guarantee Alaska’s housing market stays strong”
This afternoon, the governor signed HB 269, a bill by Representative Lindsey Holmes (D-Anchorage) that ensures housing projects in the state can keep moving forward.
Before this fix, an unintended glitch in state law could cause projects to stall out if their timeline ran a little too long. The obsolete provision was adopted in 1986 but has been updated nationally since 1994. HB 269 updates Alaska’s law to the national standard. The bill is widely supported by banks, trust companies, and homebuilders in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY HOLMES (907) 465-4919 www.replindseyholmes.com rep.lindsey.holmes@legis.state.ak.us CONTACT: James Waldo Legislative Aide April 11, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE House Passes Rep. Holmes Bill
