Community Engagement for Housing Action Plan & Economic Opportunities

KEDC has been working on the Kodiak Housing Action Plan (HAP) Recommendations draft, which will offer clear direction of identified steps to help correct the housing issues Kodiak Island is experiencing. The creation of the HAP is based on data, surveys, and direct feedback from the community.

KEDC, together with the UAA Center for Economic Development, spent several days in July directly updating the public and hearing their thoughts, concerns, and proposed ideas relating to housing, as well as mariculture and economic opportunities for the island.

KEDC and CED visited the villages of Port Lions and Ouzinkie, spending a day in each to listen, learn, and survey the villages in a more bespoke manner. Though all of Kodiak Island struggles with housing, each place has different needs and so too was the way the outreach was conducted.

From 10 am to 6pm on July 16th, a kiosk was set up to gather pointed feedback and responses to potential HAP recommendations, in the Kodiak Marketplace.

Kodiak town and village community members showed up, shared responses, and added to unique vision board. Through “agree”, “disagree”, and “need more information” sticker responses, the public could easily respond. There were also 1-on-1 conversations and interviews held. All in attendance could respond with simple messages and questions on sticky notes to policies, ideas, and potential housing recommendations and also entrepreneurial and economic opportunities and needs.

KEDC, joined by CED, presented to the Borough on July 10th, and the City on July 24th, about the projects KEDC is currently working on, including updates from the Housing Survey, presentation of the Housing Dashboard, progress on the Housing Action Plan, as well as updates on the mariculture processing feasibility study and business planning.

KEDC will continue to connect with and update the Kodiak community on our HAP Recommendations Draft. The public is invited to attend the virtual presentation on August 14th from 10 to 11 am via Zoom. After the meeting, focus groups will be scheduled. Those interested are invited to sign up here: CLICK HERE