U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski voted on Mar. 13 in favor of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill intended to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and strengthen federal housing programs across the country. The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.
The issue of affordable housing is especially important in Alaska due to high construction costs, limited infrastructure, and logistical challenges. Murkowski said, “Housing affordability is a serious challenge in Alaska, where high construction costs, limited infrastructure, and logistical hurdles make it even harder to build homes.” She added that while no single bill will solve Alaska’s housing shortage, this package offers new tools for families and communities throughout the state.
The bill includes several provisions that would directly benefit Alaska. It permanently authorizes the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program and creates a new Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to speed up disaster recovery assistance. These changes are expected to help Alaskan communities like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok recover more quickly from disasters such as Typhoon Halong. The legislation also improves the HOME Investment Partnerships Program by increasing flexibility for local partners and making it easier for communities to use funds for construction, rehabilitation, or rental assistance.
Additional measures expand awareness of VA home loan benefits and improve support programs for veterans—an important step since Alaska has the highest per capita rate of veterans in the nation. The act also modernizes rules around manufactured and modular housing to encourage innovative building methods suited for cold climates like Alaska’s. Another provision prohibits large institutional investors from buying certain single-family homes so more properties remain available for families instead of corporate buyers.
During Senate debate on the bill, Murkowski filed three amendments focused on Tribal community needs: raising income ceilings for Tribal housing assistance; streamlining environmental reviews; and exempting Tribes from some Build America, Buy America requirements due to unique rural challenges. Although these were not included in the final package, she said she will continue working on these priorities as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Murkowski was born in Ketchikan as a third-generation Alaskan according to her official website. She has worked on issues affecting Alaska Natives and rural areas according to her official website, with a focus on legislation supporting these communities according to her official website. Murkowski earned degrees from Georgetown University and Willamette University according to her official website and represents Alaska in the U.S. Senate according to her official website.
