Weatherization projects planned this summer

May 09, 2008 at 11:27AM AKST

Partnering with RuralCap, the Association of Village Council Presidents’ Housing Authority has plans to upgrade and finish weatherization projects in a number of homes in villages across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta this year.

Those projects are expected to bring some $30 million into the delta during the next five years, according to Ron Hoffman, president and CEO of AVCP Regional Housing Authority.

He credited a weatherization budget championed by Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, for the funding "to weatherize and make more efficient all homes in all villages."

"We also plan to finish homes started but never completed in Chevak after they left the TDHE (Tribally Designated Housing Entity) AVCP-RHA," the housing executive said. "We are happy to have them rejoin us."

Weatherization will be under way in all the villages the housing authority works in this year, according to Hoffman.

He said all housing construction is accomplished by Force Account, a method of construction using local labor with the inclusion of an apprenticeship program, Alaska Works Partnership.

Hoffman also said that he expects these projects will pump more than $7 million into the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in wages, per diem, travel costs, purchases at local stores, fuel and rentals during the coming construction season.

He also said the projects will "provide lifetime training for the young people looking for a career and a way to make a decent living."

Modernization work set for these villages:

Aniak

Bethel properties

Chuathbaluk

Emmonak

Kongiganak

Kwethluk

Marshall

Mekoryuk

Napakiak

Nunam Iqua

Pilot Station

Russian Mission

Sleetmute

Stony River