Anchorage Aims to Add 10,000 Homes in 10 Years

City officials outline plans to streamline permitting and address housing shortage

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Anchorage's new community and economic development director is leading the mayor's push to add 10,000 homes in the next decade, aiming to ease the city's steep housing costs. Officials plan to streamline permitting, modernize systems, and fix land-use code issues that have slowed construction and strained the local economy and workforce.

Why it matters

Anchorage is facing a severe housing shortage, with high costs pricing many residents out of the market. Addressing this shortage is seen as crucial for supporting the city's economy and attracting new businesses and workers.

The details

The city's new community and economic development director outlined plans to streamline the permitting process, modernize outdated systems, and revise land-use codes that have hindered new housing construction. These efforts are part of Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's goal of adding 10,000 new homes in Anchorage over the next 10 years.

  • Anchorage's new community and economic development director was recently appointed to lead the mayor's housing initiative.
  • Mayor LaFrance has set a goal of adding 10,000 new homes in Anchorage over the next decade.

The players

Suzanne LaFrance

The mayor of Anchorage who has set a goal of adding 10,000 new homes in the city over the next 10 years.

Anchorage's new community and economic development director

The city official leading the effort to streamline permitting and address land-use code issues to facilitate new housing construction.

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What they’re saying

“We must streamline permitting, modernize our systems, and fix land-use code issues that have slowed construction and strained our economy and workforce.”

— Anchorage's new community and economic development director (Patch AM)

What’s next

The city plans to continue working on revising land-use codes and improving the permitting process to facilitate the construction of 10,000 new homes over the next decade.

The takeaway

Anchorage's housing shortage is a critical issue that the city is seeking to address through a multi-pronged approach of streamlining bureaucratic processes and updating outdated regulations. The success of this initiative could have significant impacts on the city's economy and quality of life for residents.