The Kenai City Council passed an ordinance on April 16, approving the conditional donation of three 1.5-acre parcels of city-owned land to the Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives (KPHI). The parcels, to be subdivided from a larger 69.5-acre tract in the Kenai Meadows Addition, will be used for the development of income-restricted and senior housing.
KPHI, a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable housing for low-income, senior, and special-needs residents, must complete subdivision and financing requirements before receiving the land.
In recognition of the public benefit the housing will provide, the property will be transferred for $1.00, significantly below market value.
City officials emphasized that the move reflects Kenai’s commitment to meeting community housing needs and serves the best interests of its residents.
Mayor Brian Gabriel provided his full support, “I hear throughout the community that low-income housing is important to our community, and I agree with that. I like the idea of having a public-private partnership to accomplish that, and I think we are moving along those lines.”
“It’ll benefit the community and still not have the possibility of a negative effect on other business owners in the area, and how they work with market evaluation. I was glad to hear that, and I look forward to this. We need more housing in the area, and hopefully it’ll bring many more people to be able to move in and provide workers for our local businesses here in that area.” Council member Alex Douthit.
The ordinance includes safeguards to ensure the land is used as intended. If sold to a for-profit entity within 20 years, KPHI must reimburse the city for the full market value. Additionally, if the development conditions are not met by April 16, 2030, the authorization will lapse unless extended by the City Council.
