HOUSING

My Plan to Tackle the Kenai Peninsula Housing Crisis

As a conservative running for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, I’m committed to tackling our housing crisis with practical, market-driven solutions that put our community first. Rental vacancy rates are razor-thin, and many homes—especially in tourism hotspots—are locked up in short-term rentals like Airbnb, leaving year-round residents, workers, and seniors with few options. Landlords chase high profits from vacationers, as they should—but we need balance. If elected, here’s how I’ll address this without government overreach or new taxes; by using incentives, partnerships, and smart use of what we’ve got.

Shifting the Market with Property Tax Breaks

Short-term rentals often outpay long-term leases, especially in summer, draining our rental pool. I’ll look for ways to encourage landlords to commit to long-term leases in the summer (including month to month). This could potentially be a property tax break—such as a meaningful reduction in their annual bill. It’s voluntary, not a mandate, and funded by reallocating existing revenue. This tilts the financial scales toward stability for families, teachers, and fishermen who need homes, not seasonal crash pads, without adding costs for taxpayers.

Putting Borough Land to Work for Residents

We’ve got borough-owned land sitting idle while folks can’t find a place to live. I’ll push to strategically lease or sell these parcels to private developers, with a catch: homes built must stay in the long-term rental or ownership pool for at least 15 years. No subsidies—just a deal that boosts supply where it’s desperately needed, especially in rural spots or near towns where rentals vanish fast. Developers get a shot at profit; we get more roofs for locals.

 Teaming Up with Employers for Workforce Housing

Our economy—fishing, oil, tourism—runs on workers who are getting priced out. I’ll encourage employers to build housing by working to offer a tax credit for every unit they dedicate to year-round staff. Imagine a cannery adding apartments, offset by a borough incentive. It’s optional, keeps government light, and frees up rentals now lost to vacationers. Businesses win with a housed workforce; residents win with less competition for scarce units.

Opening Doors with Infrastructure

New homes need basics—roads, water, power. I’ll prioritize borough funds, tapped from state grants or current budgets, to extend infrastructure to ready sites. This isn’t about handouts; it’s about making it practical for private builders to step up and add units where demand far outstrips supply, especially in smaller communities.

Flexible Options for Rural Living

Rural parts of my district need housing that fits—single-family homes or duplexes, not giant complexes. I’ll support tax incentives for property owners who add accessory units—like a tiny home or apartment—for long-term tenants. With seniors and low-income workers feeling the squeeze, this gives folks a way to create additional income or house family, adding supply without breaking the bank.

Why I’m In This—and Why I’m Your Guy

This crisis is personal. It’s the couple losing their rental to a tourist, the retiree with nowhere to go, the worker commuting because local rents are sky-high. As a conservative, I believe in empowering people, not bureaucracies. My plan leans on tax breaks, land use, and partnerships—no bloated programs or new levies.

If elected, I’ll work with the Assembly to make this real, listening to you and fighting for solutions that help keep the Peninsula ours—not just a summer getaway. Vote for me on Oct 7 and let’s build a future where everyone who calls this home can stay.