Juneau gathers its senior-housing help into one guide

Juneau is trying to help its older residents stay in their homes as they age — and a volunteer workgroup is gathering the scattered help into one place.

The Juneau Commission on Aging's Housing Workgroup meets Aug. 25 to pull the city's senior-housing resources into a single guide — grants of up to $13,500 to build an accessory dwelling unit, home-renovation grants, and a list of local contractors, built on AARP's Home Fit Guide. Eight of the 16 ADU grants the city offers each year are still open, awarded until they run out.

The guide is bound for AARP's "Aging in Juneau, Caring for Caregivers" summit and resource fair, set for Nov. 4 at Centennial Hall. The workgroup also hopes to spotlight Tlingit and Haida's project to build age-friendly homes on Douglas, though its size and timing aren't yet spelled out.

The commission advises the Assembly on policies to "improve the quality of life for seniors."