Juneau aging workgroup to develop age-friendly housing resource table

Juneau seniors who want to age in place face a practical problem: home retrofits cost money, and homeowners need contractors who understand accessibility work. The Juneau Commission on Aging's Housing Workgroup meets Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. to finish a resource table addressing that gap, listing City and Borough of Juneau grants and local contractors for age-friendly home modifications.

The table will point residents to CBJ accessory dwelling unit grants, home renovation grants and contractors, using the AARP Home Fit Guide as its base document. It is bound for AARP's "Aging in Juneau, Caring for Caregivers" summit and resource fair, set for Nov. 4 at Centennial Hall. Members hope to highlight Tlingit and Haida's project to build age-friendly homes on Douglas.

John Brett will report on outreach to the Juneau Building Association and on safety items from SEARHC, the regional tribal health consortium. Carol Ende is leading discussion of a builders panel. Deb Craig is coordinating supplies through the advisory board's funding application for fiscal year 2027, which caps requests at $500 without Assembly approval and depends on the Assembly approving the budget item. The workgroup will also set its next meeting dates.

Juneau's effort sits inside a broader Alaska pattern, with communities trying to keep older residents housed while contractors, grant programs and housing supply all remain limited. Local builders engaged through the Juneau Building Association may be asked to take on accessibility retrofits, accessory dwelling unit work and design discussions for aging residents.

Juneau is the second Alaska community to join AARP's Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, after Anchorage, which enrolled in fall 2022. The City and Borough of Juneau says the commission's mandate is to advise the Assembly on policies that "improve the quality of life for seniors."