Anchorage Leaders Support Multigenerational Housing Model

A multigenerational housing model could offer relief from high housing costs and a built-in community for residents of Anchorage, Alaska.

In a piece for Alaska Public Radio, Ava White explains how one family has housed four generations in a Fairview fourplex. Now, local policymakers like Devin Kelly of the Cook Inlet Housing Authority are looking to make it easier to build and access multigenerational housing. “Multigenerational living allows people to balance community and privacy, and have access to live in support, like eldercare. Anchorage has an affordable childcare shortage, and Kelly calls the potential to live with a built-in childcare giver is a ‘huge deal.’” Kelly notes that the definition of multigenerational housing is flexible and would not apply to only related family members. 

White adds, “The city is in a better position to support new developments of multigenerational housing after Anchorage officials made a number of changes to the housing code. The Anchorage Assembly passed the HOME Initiative in June, which basically eliminates single family zoning. They’ve also increased where accessory dwelling units can be added, and eliminated off-street parking requirements which gives developers more flexibility when building.”