Resources

Consumer Finances

• Financial Assistance, including Down Payments: check out our webpage for various sources of financial assistance.
• Consumer Credit Counseling in Alaska - Consumercredit.com "Are you in need of credit consulting services or credit counseling advice? We offer Alaskan residents debt solutions and aid with managing credit card debt, reduce credit card debt, and also offer our debt management plan to qualified individuals."
• Insurancequotes.com "Unless you work in the insurance industry, you probably have a lot of questions about buying your first home policy. Understanding more about your options and how insurance companies operate should help you get the best possible deal."
• Mint.com "From budgets and bills to free credit score and more, you’ll discover the effortless way to stay on top of it all."
• AHFC Resources "From finding an approved lender and learning about general loan requirements to calculating your gross monthly income or checking current interest rates."
• Is it cheaper to rent or buy? Check out this online calculator.

Home Repair and Rebates

• Energy saving tips from the city
• Home Energy Rebate "The AHFC Home Energy Rebate might cover up to $10,000 in energy improvements for your home. You could save up to 50% a year in energy costs."
• Basic Home Maintenance Tips "Purposefully walk around and carefully inspect your property at least twice a year (when daylight saving time begins and ends are two easily remembered times) and after any major storm or potentially damaging event, and perform these maintenance tasks as they apply." (Published with author's permission.)

Home Improvement

• DSIRE in Alaska: Database of state incentives and resources including rebates for energy efficiency.

Yard Improvement

• Garden Hotline: This resource is for the Seattle area but is could still be a good resource. "We can help you reduce waste, conserve water and resources, and minimize chemical use while creating a vibrant landscape."
• Go Native: Landscaping ideas and how-to articles for the Seattle area but Sitka has many of the same plants.

Health and Safety

• EPA: Learn how to reduce lead hazards when remodeling your home.
• Solid and Hazardous Waste Management city services

Community Resources

• Sitka Community Resource from Public Assistance This document was last updated in 2012 but many numbers are still good.

Community Land Trusts Resources and Information

• Grounded Solutions Network "We promote housing solutions that will stay affordable for generations so communities can stabilize and strengthen their foundation, for good."
• Northwest CLT Coalition "supports and enhances the activities of the community land trusts (CLTs) based in the Pacific Northwest"
• Center for American Progress Report - Community Land Trusts: A Promising Tool for Expanding and Protecting Affordable Housing Center for American Progress published a brief report on how community land trusts are a needed tool for expanding and protecting affordable housing. DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE>
• Roots & Branches: a Gardener's Guide to the Origins and Evolution of the Community Land Trust (www.cltroots.org) is devoted to preserving and sharing the history of the community land trust in the United States and, later on, the story of the CLT's development in other countries as well.