FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2010
THRHA Co-Hosting a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Saxman Senior Center in Saxman, Alaska
Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA), the Organized Village of Saxman (OVS), and the City of Saxman are pleased to announce the groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site for the new Saxman Senior center, Friday, January 15, 2010, 12 PM, on Eagle Avenue in Saxman, Alaska. A reception will follow at the Saxman Salvation Army Church.
THRHA Construction Company and crew are scheduled to begin construction of the 17 unit, low income senior housing center in mid-May, depending on weather. Tenant amenities include an exercise room, library, sitting room, covered parking, storage, laundry facilities and much more. THRHA built and operates a similar 18 unit senior center in Klawock, Alaska.
“We honor our Elders with the construction of this beautifully designed building,” said THRHA President and CEO Dr. Blake Kazama. “Residents will have all the comforts for a healthy and energized lifestyle.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineering (COE) permit has been issued and site-work will begin immediately. Under the new EPA rules for wetlands, THRHA paid an In-Lieu Mitigation fee of $24,038 to the Southeast Alaska Land Trust and offer out-of-kind wetlands mitigation work to secure the permits. As part of the out-of-kind mitigation for wetlands, THRHA will install drainage and culvert improvements on South Tongass Highway and work with the OVS to hire local workers to clean up junked cars and debris from road-side ditches and streams in Saxman. The site-work contractor is S & S Construction based out of Sitka, Alaska.
THRHA was awarded a $4 million American Reinvestment Recovery Act (ARRA) competitive grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build the center. The “Shovel Ready” project is funded through the Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG), specifically designed to help Alaska Native tribes improve the quality of their housing stock, develop viable communities, promote energy efficiency and create jobs.
Additionally, the Organized Village of Saxman was awarded $600,000 ARRA funds through the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) will also provide supplemental funding for the center.
THRHA is now accepting applications for the Saxman low income rental program; applicants must be age 55 or older. The program features one- and two-bedroom units. Rent is fixed at no more than 30 percent of the adjusted household income (25 percent for seniors age 55-64; 20 percent for elders 65 & older) and is recertified and inspected annually by THRHA staff. Applications are reviewed and selection is made based on the date of application and preference points. Preference points are given to applicants who are homeless, live in overcrowded conditions, already live in the community and are honorably discharged veterans. At times, preference points are given to applicants who are handicapped/disabled. Applicants must provide documentation of Social Security benefits, such as Determination of Benefits letter received each January. For more information about the program call 907-780-6868 or go to www.thrha.org and download an application.
Established in 1973, THRHA is Southeast Alaska’s largest provider of affordable housing. The private non-profit housing authority owns and manages nearly 900 housing units located throughout the region and provides services to all Southeast Alaskans.
### |
