Archives

June 11, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the high cost and shortage of housing in rural Alaska along with the impact it has on recruiting and retaining professionals in several critical fields, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich has introduced the Rural Educator and American Community Housing Act. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to distribute $50 million in loan guarantees and grants for housing support for educators, public safety officers, and medical providers in rural communities.

ANCHORAGE, AK - March 13, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is seeking public comments regarding its current system that awards points for preferences to individuals who are on waiting lists to receive housing assistance through both its Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs. AHFC is holding a public hearing about its moving to Work plan tomorrow evening, March 13, 2012 from 4-6 p.m., and written comments are accepted until March 30, 2012. AHFC’s management intends to present its plan to its Board of Directors with recommendations for a new system at the next board meeting, April 4, 2012.

WASHINGTON, DC - February 9, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Begich (D-AK), and eight Senate colleagues wrote the Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency today, requesting responses to recent reports that Freddie Mac had strayed from its mission to support home ownership, and had taken financial interests against American homeowners

ANCHORAGE, AK - December 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Despite the economic recession that continues to plague the housing industry nationwide, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) again received AAA ratings - the highest possible - for bonds issued or converted under its Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) indenture, the most recent of which were its 2011 Series A and B and 2009 Series A-2 bonds on November 22, 2011. At that time, the AAA rating was also affirmed for all outstanding bonds previously issued or converted under the MRB indenture. Such ratings reflect the quality of the mortgage loans pledged to the bonds and the additional security provided by dedicated debt service reserve and special reserve funds. Lastly, such bonds are also supported by AHFC's general obligation pledge.

ANCHORAGE, AK - December 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) yesterday announced its annual Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living (GOAL) grants that will be awarded to five communities statewide for developing and preserving 174 affordable rental units for low-income and senior Alaska families. The GOAL program provides grants, federal tax credits and zero-interest loans to project sponsors who build or renovate affordable rental and supportive housing for low-income, senior families and those with disabilities, as well as rental housing that helps reduce homelessness.

ANCHORAGE, AK - December 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The state's official housing authority, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking a four-decade evolution built on a mission that includes providing access to safe, quality, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Alaskans in neighborhoods statewide.

ANCHORAGE, AK - December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) announced its intent to award $7.5 million to 10 villages statewide as part of its 2012 efforts to help rural communities recruit and retain nurses, public safety officers and teachers in rural Alaska.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is marking the occasion by focusing particular attention on the nearly 1.7 million American Indian and Alaska Native young people. HUD’s Office of Native American Programs has worked with the group of leading national American Indian and Alaska Native organizations who have collaborated with tribal and federal government offices to mark the month with special programs and festivities.

ANCHORAGE, AK - November 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) this week announced the formation of a subsidiary to positively impact additional development of public housing that will be known as the Corporation for Affordable Housing (CAH).

ANCHORAGE, AK - October 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) awarded $1.7 million in additional funding to two non-profit intermediary agencies to administer the HOME Opportunity Program (HOP). HOP provides principal buy-down, down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible lower income households. With the additional funding, HOP availability will be expanded to areas that have not been previously served throughout Alaska.

ANCHORAGE, AK - October 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) had the most efficient public housing program in the country during 2010. This according to a report recently published by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

ANCHORAGE, AK - August 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) board of directors, at its annual meeting, this year held in Cordova, re-elected Frank Roppel of Wrangell to serve as the board chair. Governor Murkowski appointed Roppel to the board of directors in July 2003, and he has served as chair since that time. Roppel previously served on the Alaska State Housing Authority (ASHA) and AHFC boards for 12 years in the '70s and '80s. He retired from Alaska Pulp Corporation in 2001. Roppel is also chairman of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, a subsidiary of AHFC, which recently presented a feasibility study of an in-state gas line aimed at providing gas at the lowest possible cost to a majority of Alaskans.

ANCHORAGE, AK - June 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaskans now have streamlined options for a second mortgage for home improvements. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's (AHFC) board of directors has approved the consolidation of various second mortgage programs into a single program that allows for property values to be determined by a method other than a new appraisal for loans up to $100,000 that do not exceed a combined loan-to-value of 75 percent.

ANCHORAGE, AK - May 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) will close the Anchorage Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list, effective June 1, 2011. AHFC will continue to accept applications in person or by mail if postmarked by May 31, 2011. Other rental assistance programs in Anchorage, such as public housing, and the HCV program in other parts of Alaska will continue to remain open for applications.

ANCHORAGE, AK - April 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $59,632 to two new homeless programs in Alaska.