Kodiak has something to be proud of.
The Kodiak Housing Action Plan has been selected for the 2026 Alaska Planning Conference. The Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) chose our session, "From Plan to Action: Building a Community-Driven Housing Strategy for Rural Alaska," for its statewide program. On December 7, planners from communities across Alaska will gather at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage to learn how Kodiak did it.
This recognition belongs to Kodiak
This plan came from Kodiak. More than 200 residents, from town and from the villages, shared what housing looks like in their lives and what they want for the island's future. Partners, local government and the KEDC board helped turn those voices into a plan.
Being chosen for a statewide program says that Kodiak's way of working, listening first and then acting together, is something other Alaska communities can learn from. That is a credit to everyone who took part.
The session
When: Monday, December 7, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.
Where: Dena'ina Center, Anchorage
Presenters: Melissa Schoenwether, Executive Director, KEDC, and Jared Reynolds, State Director, Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The session will share how the plan came together with the community, and what it takes to move from a finished plan to real action on housing.
From plan to action, here at home
The work continues through the Kodiak Housing Action Partnership, formerly the Housing Steering Committee, which KEDC convenes. The Partnership reconvened on October 15, 2026, and its current focus is accessory dwelling units (ADUs): helping homeowners understand how an ADU could add a home on their own lot.
You can see the data behind the plan on the Housing Action Plan Dashboard.
Be part of what comes next
The Housing Action Partnership meets the third Thursday of every month, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the KEDC office. It's a working lunch, and there's a seat at the table for you.
