Tyonek Terrace
Tyonek Terrace Opens
In mid-September, 40 elders moved into new homes at Tyonek Terrace, the latest addition to Cook Inlet Housing Authority's East Anchorage campus. Cook Inlet Housing Authority Rental Housing and Housing Services staff moved 39 of those 40 residents into the building in just under eight hours. It was a long and tiring (but very rewarding) day. The 40th resident moved in several days later.
Staff heard many fun stories from residents as they were excitedly making themselves at home in the brand new building.
One resident had been living with her son and daughter-in-law for a number of years, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to climb the stairs in their home. Enter Tyonek Terrace. When staff joined her in her unit to sign her lease, she said that her apartment was small compared to where she had been living, but she loved it.
"After 83 years, I am finally ready to move out on my own," she joked.
As a CIHA staff member was leaving the Tyonek Terrace lobby to escort another new resident to her apartment, a second tenant exclaimed, "I'm coming too! We picked units next to each other!"
The two residents are co-workers at Booth Memorial Home, and both work taking care of babies in the facility. When they finished signing their leases, they took a good look around their apartments and started "hoot'n and hollr'n." It was fun for staff to see their delight for their new homes as well as their excitement about being next-door neighbors.
A few finishing touches are still being put on the Tyonek Terrace common spaces, but the building is substantially complete and providing beautiful, warm, safe shelter for elders on a fixed income.
For more information about Tyonek Terrace, visit our website at http://www.cookinlethousing.org.