by Randy Randy

Crow Hill Ribbon Cutting – Celebrating Six New Tribal Homeowners

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Douglas Indian Association (DIA), Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA), and Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation (HYFC) came together to celebrate a milestone for our community: the ribbon cutting ceremony for six new homes at the Crow Hill development site in Juneau.

The event opened with a welcome from Jackie Pata, followed by Douglas Indian Association leaders Barbara Cadiente-Nelson and Andrea Cadiente Laiti, who shared the history of DIA and the importance of Tlingit homes in Douglas. Their words reminded us that this project is not just about housing—it is about cultural continuity, community strength, and honoring the vision of our ancestors.

As part of the ceremony, Paul Marks offered a blessing with devil’s club, giving each homeowner this powerful medicine. Devil’s club, long known in Tlingit culture as “good medicine,” was presented to provide peace, prosperity, and protection for each person who will live in these homes.

The program continued with the ribbon cutting, introductions of the homeowners, and traditional Raven and Eagle songs, marking this day as a true cultural and community celebration.

🏡 Homeowner Stories

  • Joseph Marks – From graduate student to professor, Joseph balanced a Master’s degree, full-time work, and now a PhD program in Sitka. As he steps into a faculty role at UAF, this home gives him stability as he begins shaping the next generation of Alaskans.
  • Robert Sharclane – A single father of three daughters and counselor at Gastineau Human Services, Robert created a safe and stable foundation for his family, showing resilience and dedication to his girls’ future.
  • Christina Kadake – A single mom of three, Christina partnered with HYFC’s financial counseling team, paid off all her debts, and even earned a promotion at IGA Foodland. Today, she stands proudly as a debt-free homeowner.
  • Amanda Bagoyo – A single mom of two and longtime employee at Catholic Community Services, Amanda not only saved diligently but also learned hands-on construction skills while helping with her home’s insulation. Her story reflects persistence and strength.
  • Jonah Davis – An electrician with Tongass Electric, Jonah contributed his skills to many THRHA projects—but this time, he helped build his own home. His journey has come full circle as he prepares to start a family in a house he helped construct.
  • Anna Larue – A SEARHC employee of 19 years and single mom of four, Anna waited patiently for this moment. With strong credit, savings, and a legacy of perseverance, she is now building generational stability for her children.

A Community Effort

This project is the result of strong partnerships between Douglas Indian Association, THRHA, and HYFC, with support from key funders who helped provide gap financing. Each home represents stability, equity, and a lasting investment in future generations.

Looking Ahead

As we welcomed the six new homeowners into their homes, we celebrated more than just construction—we celebrated lives being transformed, families being rooted, and dreams becoming reality.

Gunalchéesh / Háw’aa to everyone who helped make this possible.

by Randy Randy

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority Releases 2024 Southeast Regional Tribal Housing Survey Analysis

Juneau, Alaska, May 2024 —The Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) has published the 2024 Southeast Regional Tribal Housing Survey Analysis, which includes 13 reports. This comprehensive assessment, developed in collaboration with Rain Coast Data and SALT, provides a detailed overview of housing needs, challenges and priorities for Alaska Native households in 12 Southeast Alaska communities. The survey covers home conditions, preferences, costs and finances and gathered responses from 1,630 THRHA tribal households. Jacqueline Pata, President and CEO of THRHA, emphasized the study’s significance in obtaining housing funding and its immediate impact on housing strategies with tribal leaders.

Key Findings:

  • Affordable Housing: 91% of households cite affordable housing as the most critical need, with Craig (96%), Douglas (95%), and Juneau (93%) reporting the highest needs. Since 2019, average rent and mortgage costs have increased by 26% and 66% of households are considered low-income by HUD criteria.
  • Income and Housing Costs: 76% of tribal households are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing, including 23% who spend over half their income. The average annual income was $75,264. Craig, Juneau and Saxman Households are most likely cost burdened.
  • Homeownership: Increasing access to homeownership is a high priority for 79% of respondents and 92% prefer owning to renting. Half of tribal households rent, compared to a third of all regional households. Douglas has the highest rental rate at 73%. Homeownership is becoming more challenging as housing values rise, with the average home value now $290,120, a 56% increase since 2019. The average household income has increased by 15% over the same period.
  • Demographics: 36% of tribal households have someone over 60, up from 25% in 2019. Households with children have decreased to 50% from 57% five years ago.
  • Homelessness: Tribal households provide a tremendous, uncompensated social safety net within their communities. 36% of tribal households hosted homeless individuals, averaging 80 nights per household last year, providing an estimated 95,000 nights of lodging. Saxman (46%), Craig (44%) and Douglas (43%) were most likely to host.
  • Energy Efficiency and Heating: 78% of respondents want more energy-efficient homes. Heating fuel is the primary source for 41% of homes, but heat pump usage has risen from 1% in 2019 to 12%. This conversion saves households an average of $144 per winter month.
  • Single-Family Homes: 78% of households demand more single-family homes. Currently, 50% of tribal households live in single-family homes, 36% in multi-family units and 13% in mobile homes.
  • Housing Conditions: 50% rate their homes as good or excellent, 38% as adequate and 11% as poor. The average age of tribal homes is 44 years.

Critical Need Responses: Survey respondents wrote about the urgent need for affordable homeownership options:

  • “Whether it be affordable rentals or affordable homes for purchase – our community and our tribe needs to focus more on buying/building homes. Our people need homes.” Juneau survey respondent
  • “In Klawock, there are hardly any homes for rent or purchase. Our people are having to leave our Native communities.” Klawock survey respondent
  • “We are in the midst of a housing crisis for families living here, young adults and families wanting to own a house because there is nothing reasonable priced that it worth purchasing. Everything is way over budget. People cannot find a place to rent that will suit their families or self.” Petersburg survey respondent
  • “We need more safe, energy-efficient, cost-effective, affordable housing.” Angoon survey respondent
  • “Saxman needs more multi-generational housing and more housing in general.” Saxman survey respondent

THRHA serves as the housing entity for several Alaska Native communities, including Angoon, Craig, Douglas, Klawock, Kake, Kasaan, Saxman, Petersburg, Skagway, the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Wrangell and Yakutat. They collaborate with leaders, stakeholders, and government entities to address housing needs, with survey findings guiding programs and policies for better affordability, accessibility and quality for Alaska Native families in Southeast Alaska.

Click here to see all community and regional survey reports.

 

by Randy Randy

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) is applying for 2024 Preservation & Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) Grant funding from US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Project Name:
Preservation & Reinvestment of Manufactured Housing in SE Alaska Communities

Project Description:
To address dilapidated manufactured housing in SE Alaska communities.

Project Timeline:
October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2030

Project Budget:
Not To Exceed $7,000,000

Please submit all comments, questions, or concerns by May 24, at 12:00 Noon to info@thrha.org or call 907-780-6868.

by Randy Randy

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) is seeking comments from the pubic for the following proposed development: Pederson Hill Subdivision in Juneau, Alaska

Project Description:

Phased development of residential housing within Lot 2B of the Pederson Hill Subdivision, US Survey No.3873, with access from Glacier Highway in Juneau, Alaska.

The meetings will be held via Zoom video conference during the following times:

  • Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 9:00 AM
  • Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM

If you wish to attend the meeting, please contact Cathy Needham at cathy@kaienvironmental.com by Wednesday, February 14, 2024, for the link and password.

Comments may be submitted, no later than February 29,2024, at 12:00 Noon to:

Cathy Needham
Kai Environmental Consulting Service
9000 Glacier Highway, Suite 302
Juneau, AK 99801
cathy@kaienvironmental.com
(907)723-4436

by Randy Randy

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority Receives $2 Million Award to Create Access to Homeownership on Tribal Lands

Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge by Enterprise Community Partners and Wells Fargo names six winners out of over 400 applications from across the U.S. JUNEAU, Alaska.

– Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) and The Wells Fargo Foundation today named Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority one of the six winners of the Housing AffordabilityBreakthrough Challenge, a nationwide competition to find and seed innovative housing solutions across the U.S. In addition to the grant funding, the six winning organizations will receive support from peersand industry experts to scale new strategies aimed at making homes more accessible.

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority’s Success Starts with Me innovation is a new housing model which bridges the gap between traditional mortgage loans and the financial needs in rural SoutheastAlaska to provide low-income tribal citizens access to homeownership on tribal lands. Partners including Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation will offer construction and home loans with individualized down payments, payback schedules, and education courses with the goal of supporting more than 100 families in the Juneau region.

“Winning the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge will help us do more than build affordablehomes,” said Jackie Pata, president and CEO of Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority. “We’re actually trying to change what the future will be for the next generation. Remote rural villages need to have the same kind of opportunities that urban America has.”

The competition drew more than 400 applications from a wide range of innovative nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations stretching from Florida to Alaska in three categories: Access andResident Support, Construction, and Financing. After two application rounds, 16 finalists were invited to present their innovations in a 10-minute pitch to a panel of judges composed of national affordable housing and community development experts, including leaders from Wells Fargo and Enterprise.The other competition grant winners are: : Build UP, Grounded Solutions Network, Hope EnterpriseCorporation, Hydronic Shell Technologies, and Module.

“There is incredible demand across all types of communities for affordable housing solutions that aretailored to local needs and have the potential to scale,” said Jacqueline Waggoner, president of theSolutions Division at Enterprise Community Partners. “The Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challengeenables leaders on the ground to multiply their impact nationwide. We are so excited to work with thissecond cohort of winners to bring their ideas to the next level.”

“Creating true equity in the nation’s housing system requires a focus on transformative ideas thatchallenge current housing practices and processes,” said Stacy Spann, head of Housing Access andAffordability Philanthropy at the Wells Fargo Foundation. “Through the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, we are intentionally lifting up solutions to serve communities that have experienced disinvestment and marginalization for far too long. And the winning group of entrepreneursand social innovators truly combine expertise with the lived experiences of the communities we aim toserve.”

The 2023 winners will take part in a multi-year peer learning network to share ideas and cultivate their innovations into solutions that can be applied to communities across the U.S. The cohort will gain accessto a network of leaders from across the housing sector, including experts from Enterprise and pastwinners of the competition.

For more information on the competition, as well as the finalists and their winning proposals, visit the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge website.