Housing providers search for solutions to overcrowding in rural Alaska | Alaska Insight

Alaska Public Media | By Lori Townsend,

Valerie Lake

Published February 18, 2022 at 1:01 PM AKST

Television show host sits at desk and talks to guests over Zoom. — Alaska Insight host Lori Townsend talks to guests about rural housing challenges in the TV studio on February 17, 2022.

High cost, complicated shipping and limited building materials in rural Alaska contribute to tight quarters in many homes.

Lori Townsend discusses the limitations and solutions with Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Chair Chris Kolerok and Colleen Dushkin, executive director of the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities.

a family on a couch watching tv with antlers in the background holding up ski goggles — Sophia Katchatag, her husband Murphy Katchatag and their son Eric, Jr., 4, watch TV in their small, two bedroom home in Shaktoolik, Alaska, in January 2022. (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media)

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Lori Townsend

Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.

See stories by Lori Townsend

Valerie Lake

Valerie Lake worked at Alaska Public Media from 2017 to 2025. She was the managing producer for Indie Alaska, director for Alaska Insight, and led the video production team. Valerie Lake has previously gone by the names, Valerie Lloyd and Valerie Kern.

See stories by Valerie Lake