Valley seniors cause construction boom: affordability and close proximity to a top-notch hospital sends many Alaska seniors to the Mat-Su Valley to live, and developers are happy to accommodate.

• Author: Harrington, Susan

Alaska's senior population is growing and many are moving to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. As the population continues to increase, some housing developments in the Valley are catering to seniors. With the slow pace, accessibility to services and close proximity to Anchor age's specialized medical community, seniors seem to be migrating to the Mat-Su Borough at a fast pace.

In 1990, there were 2,922 people aged 60 years and older in the Mat Su Borough, according to the U.S. Census. In 2000, that number had grown to 5,224. There is some difference of opinion as to what age a person becomes a senior. Most federally funded programs set the age at either 60 or 62, while many organizations classify seniors as 55 and older. Adding the 55 to 59 age group to Mat-Su Borough statistics brings the number of seniors up to 4,180 in 1990 and 7,874 in 2000.

New housing developments in Wasilla and Palmer are being built for the increased Valley senior population. Palmer's Mountain Rose Estates is a private development designed for an up scale senior market. Wasilla's Senior Campus continues to grow with affordable rental units that were built with tax credits, senior design input and rents as low as $400 per month.

MOUNTAIN ROSE ESTATES

Mountain Rose Estates Web site includes a community plan for the Palmer development that shows 70 units ranging from 1,295 square feet to 1,634 square feet, with prices between $158,900 and $173,040. All units include lawn maintenance and snow removal to reduce maintenance for the owners, which are paid for through a homeowner fee similar to condo association dues.

Standard features in these homes include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car garage, five-star energy rating, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet, maple cabinets and other upscale treatments. The homes are available for those 55 and older and offer an option to seniors who want to own their home in a planned senior community in the Valley.

WASILLA SENIOR CAMPUS

The Eagle's Nest, The Birches at Haley Hills and Raven Tree Court Senior Housing at the Wasilla Senior Campus are a public-private senior-housing venture financed by Alaska Housing Finance Corp., The Richman Group Affordable Housing Corp. and Fannie Mae--through loans, private investment and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Wasilla Area Seniors Executive Director Tim Anderson explained how the tax credits work: "companies or firms buy credits for a tax write off and supply the up-front money for...