Press Release September 2026 | Valley Residential Services

Housing Alaskans Awards Grants for 70 New Housing Units in the Matanuska Susitna Borough

New funding unlocks shovel-ready housing projects for Alaska’s workforce and seniors.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Housing Alaskans announced grants supporting 70 new housing units in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, accelerating shovel-ready projects that need “top-off” capital. The awards span rental and ownership units affordable for Alaska’s workforce and seniors.

The funds awarded to the three projects was provided by the Matanuska Susitna Health Foundation.

Grant Awardees:
1 – 24 rental units in Palmer – Breezy Meadows Apartments IV/Valley Residential Services
2 – 6 sweat-equity home ownerships in Wasilla – Mat-Su Self-Help Housing #17 Construction/Alaska Community Development Corporation
3 – 40 rental units in Wasilla – Moose Meadows Senior Housing/Wasilla Area Seniors

{Housing Alaskans can connect you with project developers if you want additional information}

Addressing Alaska’s Housing Crisis

Alaska’s housing shortage is deepening workforce shortages, forcing businesses to turn away growth opportunities, and compelling communities to cut essential services. Securing capital to build homes affordable for Alaska’s workforce is an expensive, multi-year process, and rising costs continually move the goalpost.
Housing Alaskans was created to cut through that challenge. By leveraging project reviews already completed by other public and private funders, Housing Alaskans eliminates redundant paperwork, fills final funding gaps, gets homes built faster, and unlocks committed but unused investments from those other funders. The four applicants had combined investments exceeding $29.5 million waiting on the sidelines for lack of a small additional amount to launch or complete the housing.

“Alaska faces some of the most complex housing challenges in the United States, from high construction costs to remote logistics. Alaska needs shovels in the ground. Housing Alaskans funding is designed to do exactly that by streamlining project development and maximizing the impact of public and private investment.” Shauna Hegna, Chair, Board of Directors, Housing Alaskans

With these 70 new units, Housing Alaskans has helped 27 projects in 19 communities open the doors to 292 new homes for Alaskans since it was created in 2022.

How Housing Alaskans Supports Housing Developers and Communities

“Housing Alaskans has been extremely vital to the development of housing units in the Mat-Su valley for VRS. With rising costs of materials, new projects typically have a short fall of funding to complete projects and Housing Alaskans have assisted in closing the gap so the project can become a reality.”
— John Weaver, President and CEO, Valley Residential Services

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the grant awarded to Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc., which will significantly help kickstart our Moose Meadows Senior Housing Project. This support is especially crucial given the need for senior housing in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Thank you once again for believing in our vision and for your dedication to enhancing housing access in Alaska. We look forward to sharing our progress and the positive impact this project will have on our community.”
— Marlene Munsell, CEO, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc.

“It is very difficult to put together all components of funding for affordable housing and this award from Housing Alaskans truly is the link that allows us to move forward with this Mutual Self-Help Housing project for six homes in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Thanks to this assistance, six families are going to realize their dream of home ownership!”
— Patrick Shiflea, Associate Director, Alaska Community Development Corporation

Why Funders Invest Through Housing Alaskans

“Safe, stable housing is one of the most foundational blocks of good health. This project helps close a critical gap in our community by increasing access to housing affordable to working households and those stabilizing after experiencing homelessness. We’re honored to continue to invest in solutions that not only meet an immediate need, but help people build a healthier future.”
— Vandana Ingle, Chief Community Impact Officer, Mat-Su Health Foundation

About Housing Alaskans
Housing Alaskans addresses Alaska’s housing crisis through creative funding solutions that coordinate public and private resources to boost new and rehabilitated housing production, incentivize developers, and alleviate barriers to housing development. The Alaska Community Foundation powers Housing Alaskans through fiscal sponsorship and administers the Housing Alaskans awards. For more information, visit Housing Alaskans
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