Juneau, Alaska, is experiencing a significant housing shortage, but local high school students are stepping in to help. Through a hands-on house build program, students at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé are gaining valuable construction skills while addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in their community.
On November 12, 2025, students like senior Isaac Phelps and junior Raegan Adams were actively engaged in constructing energy-efficient homes in Lemon Creek. The program is a collaboration between the Juneau Housing Trust and the Juneau School District, which has a long history of offering building projects to students since the 1970s.
Adams, who initially hesitated to enroll, now recognizes the class’s importance. “I think it’s a very important class that teaches skills everyone should have,” she said. “I’ve been telling my mom about stuff we do in the class. And she’s like, ‘Oh, you can do this to our house next.’”
The students are currently completing the sixth house in a neighborhood specifically developed for this initiative, located just past the Dzantik’i Heenicampus. The construction began after the City and Borough of Juneau sold the land to the Juneau Housing Trust in 2017. The Trust manages this land through a community land trust, ensuring that homes are accessible to low and middle-income residents.
According to Tamara Rowcroft, board vice president of the Juneau Housing Trust, the need for affordable housing is critical. “I’ve been working in affordable housing for about 35 years here in Juneau. I lived here as a kid, and I know how hard it is to get housing that’s affordable,” she explained. The city has recently seen the highest average sale price for single-family homes in the state, intensifying the need for affordable options.
The program not only addresses housing shortages but also provides students with essential skills that can lead to lucrative careers. Nathan Dutton, the school district’s career and technical education coordinator, emphasized the importance of offering these practical learning opportunities. “We have seen a drop in tradesmen throughout the nation,” he noted. “Being able to make this skillset available to our students is so important.”
Students like senior Jace Kihlmire are already applying what they learn in class to real-world situations. He aims to enhance his skills further while working at his father’s construction company. “It applies to future careers as well as home life,” Kihlmire said, highlighting the confidence he gains from the class. “Like, ‘Oh, I put a hole in my drywall.’ Oh, cool. I know how to patch it up.”
The class is expected to finish construction by the end of the year, with plans to place the completed home on the market soon. As the students continue to build homes that will serve their community, they are not only receiving an education but also making a tangible impact in addressing Juneau’s housing crisis.
