Port Lions Community Report:
Housing, Opportunities, and Next Steps
HELLO! {virtually}
During the visit KEDC and CED made to Port Lions in July, Melissa Schoenwether and Kelly Wyche shared the commitment to report back to each community details about what takeaways came out of the conversations, surveys, and meetings. Our hope is that you would START HERE to connect, or re-connect, with us.
This webpage, including the video presentation, survey dashboard and charts serve as the first step to honor that commitment. While we want to ensure we reconnect with each village in real time, we don’t want scheduling conflicts to slow down the process of sharing what we learned during our visit to Port Lions in July.
Please take time to watch this recording, which will introduce the purpose of this page, as well as encourage context and opportunities for what we share.
KEDC will continue to meet with Port Lions residents to share updates, confirm priorities, and adjust plans based on community feedback.
A VISION CAST BY THE COMMUNITY
During each community outreach event in Port Lions, Ouzinkie, and City of Kodiak, community members were invited to create a Vision Board for their community. We are sharing here a digitized rendering of “Vision for Port Lions.”
Above you can see the original snapshot of participants reviewing the vision board.
The original “Vision for the Future of Port Lions,” on display at Kodiak Outreach Event in KANA Marketplace, received positive feedback and support by those in town attending the event.
Findings from KEDC and CED’s visit to Port Lions, reflecting housing priorities, economic opportunities, and community voices.
Overview:
In July 2025, Melissa Schoenwether, from Kodiak Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) and Kelly Wyche, from the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Center for Economic Development (CED) visited Port Lions to hear directly from residents and leaders. The visit was designed to better understand housing conditions, community priorities, and opportunities for economic growth. Through meals, tours, and open conversations, we gathered stories and perspectives that are shaping the Kodiak Housing Action Plan. This page highlights what we heard in Port Lions and how those voices are guiding next steps.
Our time in Port Lions focused on four questions.
1. How do housing needs differ in Kodiak’s villages.
2. How will residents respond to possible housing solutions.
3. What opportunities do villages see in mariculture and other industries.
4. What is the collective vision for housing across the archipelago.
A Snapshot of Port Lions
Many homes in Port Lions remain solid in structure, but they are not always well suited to the climate. Residents described mold, weather damage, and poor insulation as common issues. Several pointed to vacant or unsafe houses that cannot be easily removed or repurposed because of legal and regulatory barriers. These challenges make it harder to maintain the housing stock or create space for new construction. At the same time, gaps in infrastructure, such as utilities and road access, limit the potential for development. Families stressed that without safe and affordable housing, it is difficult to grow the population or keep young people in the community.
Young residents carry a heavy load, balancing multiple jobs, caring for elders, and raising children. Many want to see more opportunities in the village, including internships and apprenticeships tied to local projects. They are looking for reasons to stay and ways to contribute. Residents also expressed frustration with approvals that must go through centralized processes in Kodiak. These delays slow down essential work. People shared that they want more authority at the village level to keep projects moving.
At the same time, Port Lions has shown strong energy for local enterprise. One resident created a prototype and marketing plan for a sea salt farm. The idea received wide community support and is an example of the innovation and initiative already present in the village. With support for marketing and business planning, projects like this could connect to broader markets and provide income for local families.
“We want decisions made closer to the village, so projects do not stall.”
--One resident suggested
“Housing is here, but many homes need work. Help with repairs would go a long way.”
--Local Community Member shared
—These perspectives highlight both the need for practical housing solutions and the desire to keep benefits rooted in the community.
The survey and discussions in Port Lions reinforced several points:
Housing is available, but much of it needs major repairs or weatherization.
Families want larger homes that support multigenerational living, which reflects cultural traditions and family needs.
While some families can afford their current housing, many explained that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings or improvements.
Smaller housing types, such as tiny homes, are not widely supported as long term solutions.
Residents also raised concerns about short term rentals and their effect on local availability.
Above all, they agreed that housing is the foundation for community growth, stability, and workforce development.
HOUSING DATA & FURTHER INSIGHT • • •
HOUSING DATA & FURTHER INSIGHT • • •
• Residents see home repair and maintenance as the most urgent priority.
• They also stressed the importance of infrastructure, utilities, and site development as necessary first steps.
• Many families support larger homes that can accommodate multigenerational living, reflecting cultural traditions.
• Concerns were raised about short term rentals, with worries about cultural displacement and the possibility of houses standing empty for much of the year.
• People want to make sure that housing solutions fit the needs of Port Lions, respect traditions, and strengthen the village for the long term.
Survey Trends and Visual Data
Visual Mapping of Community Opinion
Key Themes from Visual Mapping of Community Opinion
Strongest Support
Residents across communities expressed the most consistent support for:
Helping people repair and maintain existing homes
Building more senior housing
Building more infrastructure
These options were often linked to keeping elders in their communities, preserving existing housing stock, and addressing land scarcity, especially in villages. Building or upgrading roads, utilities, and other infrastructure was widely recognized as essential for enabling new housing development. Many residents viewed this as a necessary first step rather than a separate initiative.
Mixed or Conditional Support
Some villages expressed hesitance about opening land for development. Concerns included the potential for cultural displacement, second-home ownership, and the risk that new housing would be built for outsiders rather than local residents.
Ideas such as building more multi-family housing, adding tiny or modular homes, and easing regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) generated interest, but with important caveats. Support often depended on whether designs would meet local needs, maintain community character, and accommodate larger or multigenerational households.
Residents showed cautious interest in market-focused solutions such as offering financial incentives for developers, changing zoning or building codes, or creating a housing trust fund. They wanted more clarity on how these approaches would ensure that benefits remain local rather than serving outside investors or higher-income households.
Significant Concern
Short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, were a major concern for community members. Residents in Kodiak City saw these units as reducing the supply of long-term housing. In villages, concerns focused on cultural displacement and homes remaining empty for much of the year. Across communities, people wanted to understand what types of rental restrictions could help balance the market and make more housing available for long-term residents.
The combined insights from village visits, kiosk conversations, and surveys underscore a central reality. Housing is not just a structure. It is the foundation for cultural continuity, economic stability, and the future of Kodiak’s communitis. The feedback we received, both in support and in opposition, provides a roadmap for action that can address immediate needs while guiding long-term planning. These opportunities align closely with KEDC’s broader strategy and connect with the ongoing work of partners such as KANA, particularly in ferry access, mariculture growth, workforce development, and youth engagement.
Common Challenges and Opportunities:
In Port Lions
& Beyond
The conclusions below are drawn from conversations during our visits to Port Lions, Ouzinkie, and discussions with leaders from the Tangirnak (Woody island) Urban Native Community.
>> The voices and stories we heard reflect the unique strengths and needs of underserved parts of Kodiak Island.
>> Ensuring that these perspectives are integrated into economic development work is essential to directing resources, whether programs, funding, or representation in decision-making, across the island.
The insights that emerged from this research are intended to guide policymaking, anticipate community response to new initiatives, and inform how economic development work in Kodiak can strengthen the well-being of the entire island, especially its Native villages.
Despite geographic, cultural, and economic differences, several shared housing themes emerged across the Villages and Kodiak City:
Housing exists, but often needs improvement.
While many homes are structurally sound, they are not always suited to Kodiak’s climate. Residents described issues such as mold, weather-related damage, and inefficient insulation. These concerns were echoed in broader island interviews, which also highlighted aging housing stock, in some cases 40 to 50 years old, and a backlog of needed repairs.
Youth need more reasons to stay.
Young people are often working multiple jobs, caring for elders, and raising children. Without more housing options, youth-oriented programming, and clear career pathways, many see limited opportunities for building their future locally. This aligns with broader economic findings that workforce retention—especially for younger residents—depends as much on livability as on employment availability.
Affordability in the Kodiak Context
Standard affordability measures do not always reflect local realities. Many residents can pay their rent or mortgage, but the cost of living has risen faster than incomes. This leaves little room to save, invest, or make improvements to their homes. In interviews, residents described feeling “stuck” in place, able to cover monthly costs but unable to move forward economically.
Small-Footprint Housing Has Limits
Across locations, residents expressed skepticism about relying on small-footprint housing as a primary solution. While recognizing that tiny homes can help meet short-term needs, many emphasized the importance of housing that can accommodate families, support long-term stability, and reflect the community’s vision for the future.
HOUSING TOPICS: EXPANDED
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Many infrastructure and demolition projects require regulatory approval from central Kodiak, causing delays. Community members expressed a desire for greater decision-making authority at the village level to move essential projects forward more quickly.
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Legal, regulatory, and logistical hurdles make it difficult to remove or repurpose unsafe or abandoned homes, limiting the ability to improve the local housing stock and create space for new development. Island-wide, vacant properties are often tied to absentee ownership or complex land status issues, making rehabilitation challenging.
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Residents consistently linked secure, quality housing to their ability to return to their home villages and help strengthen their communities. Without it, population growth, workforce stability, and long-term community resilience remain limited.
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Location selection for new projects, such as the proposed Gibson Cove development, should involve early consultation with Native villages, especially when projects affect land with historical or spiritual significance.
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Kelp farming and other mariculture industries were identified as promising economic drivers, but success will depend on additional labor, improved transportation links, and reliable access between villages and Kodiak City. Residents highlighted ferry service, workforce development programs, and internships as critical supports. As mariculture receives more funding and resources, participants emphasized that a meaningful share should be directed to the villages so they can fully benefit from industry growth.
Looking Ahead to Economic Development Opportunities
Port Lion’s future has strong support from the community to focus on strengthening housing and creating pathways for youth and local businesses.
Residents support programs that pair home repairs with training for young people, so that improvements create jobs and skills. They want infrastructure planning that is aligned with housing goals and reflects local input. There is interest in cultural tourism and mariculture, and success will depend on training, fair access to resources, and reliable transportation. Village-based entrepreneurship ranked high in desire for support, growth, and training.
TAKE 60 SECONDS AND COMPLETE THE VILLAGE SURVEY
NEXT STEPS: STAY ENGAGED!
You are invited to offer more direction for the Housing Action Plan Recommendation Draft.
KEDC, together with the Center for Economic Development, welcome you to attend the Virtual Village Focus Group ON SEPTEMBER 11TH at 10:30am.
This group meeting is focused on the topics that reflect the concerns and interest of the Villages of Kodiak for the HAP recommendations. Your participation will bring value, and we hope you will attend.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!
In less than a minute, you can provide information about the current housing situation as you see it in Port Lions.
A Little About Us…
MELISSA SCHOENWETHER, KEDC Executive Director
After a life mostly lived on islands through out the US, Melissa understands the uniques opportunities and challenges the remoteness of Kodiak provides. A strong 30 year history of leadership, Melissa has built businesses that serve their customers well. She brings expertise in customer outreach and retention, business growth and development, and data and surveying. She is proud to serve the island of Kodiak that she now calls home.
KELLY WYCHE, with Center for Economic Development
Kelly is a community minded business strategist with diverse industry experience developing innovative systems, products, ventures, and culture. She has a bachelor's degree in economics from Wharton Business School, an MBA from Yale University and has worked for Google, IDEO, Target, and Duke Energy over her career. Kelly has worked with communities throughout the Southeastern US through her nonprofit Collective Power. Kelly’s aim is to change the way infrastructure is designed and developed by centering community needs, environmental justice, and collective action in the work of building a more regenerative future.
Connect with KEDC.
KEDC works to strengthen the economy of all Kodiak.
We look forward to hearing from you, answering questions, and working together.
The Kodiak Housing Action Plan is made possible through the Denali Commission.
Kodiak Economic Development Corporation and our partners appreciate the support from Denali Commission.
