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Assembly committee flags unsafe rental properties, outlines rehousing steps after code abatement
Summary
Municipal officials described dangerous housing conditions at multiple properties, including 4626 Thompson Ave where inspectors found 14 occupants with no heat, hot water or smoke alarms; staff said the municipality can offer funds and provider connections but cannot force families to accept a particular service provider.
Anchorage municipal staff told the Assembly’s Housing and Homeless Committee that the city is stepping up code enforcement and coordinated rehousing after recent inspections turned up structurally unsafe housing and health hazards.
Bob Gold, director for Community and Economic Development, said a property at 4626 Thompson Avenue came to the municipality via quick‑claim deed after repeated Anchorage Police Department callouts and a code‑abatement response uncovered “14 occupants in a building with no hot water, no heat, no smoke alarms,” and extensive unsafe wiring and removed fire separations. Gold said staff moved quickly to board up and secure the building and to transfer funds to outreach teams to assist with rehousing and first/last month rental assistance.
Thea, a representative from the mayor’s office, told committee members that the municipality’s approach is situational: the Hope team (an APD‑affiliated outreach unit) has led on some properties, re‑entry services on others and, in some cases, the fire department’s mobile crisis team is involved. “We are making the assistance available and trying to make those connections,” she said, adding that the municipality cannot compel a resident to work with a particular provider if the resident refuses.
Assembly members pressed staff about who oversees rehousing offers and whether the city can require families to accept specific providers. Gold reiterated that staff can fund moves, make referrals and coordinate providers but “we cannot require somebody to work with the Hope team that’s part of APD if you have reluctance to work with the police department.” Thea said the mayor’s office is the primary coordinator of which agency or provider is the best fit for a given household.
Gold also updated the committee on demolition and cleanup plans for other hazardous properties: a pre‑bid meeting has been held for demolition of 1306 Chugach Way, described as structurally unsound and hazardous for firefighters, and the owner of 1118 Ingress Street has obtained a demolition permit to address hazards there.
Committee members highlighted the scale of the problem and asked for a broader housing‑stock condition assessment. Member Anna Broly said the properties discussed are likely “the tip of the iceberg” and urged the city to consider an elevated, system‑level response rather than one‑off abatement actions. Gold asked for 24 hours to return with a more detailed response on resources and options.
The committee did not take a vote on new policy at the meeting; staff said they would continue coordinated abatement, demolition and rehousing work and return with additional information to the committee.
