Ensuring Safety and Energy Efficiency through Building Code Advisory Council

At the forefront of Alaska Housing’s mission to expand access to safe, quality, affordable housing is ensuring that the housing built today in Alaska will withstand the test of time tomorrow.

Across Alaska, AHFC finances new and improved housing development; all financing is contingent on building and energy codes established by Alaska Housing which are informed by standards set by the International Code Council (ICC).

Throughout the process of adopting these building codes, AHFC works closely with Alaskan homebuilders and industry professionals to ensure that codes are reasonable and relevant for Alaska’s unique climate and conditions, align with industry happenings and address safety and energy efficiency.

Prioritizing Industry Expertise

In 2024, Alaska Housing established the Building Code Advisory Council that formalizes the inclusion of industry experts, as well as state and local representatives, in AHFC’s conversations related to updating building codes.

The Building Code Advisory Council brings together from across Alaska nine industry experts, including homebuilders, energy raters, inspectors and public safety and workforce development officials to ensure that Alaska Housing’s building and energy codes are made with input from stakeholders and industry experts. Members will serve a three-year term and are appointed by Bryan Butcher, AHFC’s CEO/executive director.

Jimmy Ord, Research and Rural Development Director of the AHFC program that provides staff support for the council explains, “The Building Code Advisory Council formalizes our code process, so we have a body of experts that we can rely on, and we know our knowledge is coming from industry experts with many years of experience in building and energy codes.”

Incorporating Voices from Across the State

The Council consists of:

• Terry Duszynski of Duszynski and Associates (Fairbanks)
• Eric Visser of Visser Construction (Anchorage)                                   
• Dave Owens of Owens Inspection Services (Palmer)                        
• Claiborne Porter, AIA of NCP Design\Build (Anchorage) 
• Victor Banaszak of VRB Construction, LLC (Juneau)
• Robert Moss of Wisdom and Associates, INC (Kenai)       
• Emmett Leffell of ATI Services Co. (Palmer)
• Joe Fischer, Building Official for the City of Kenai
• Mark Brauneis of Alaska Department of Public Safety (Anchorage)

The Council will meet at least once a year to address future code releases from the ICC and will meet on a regular rotation, not less than every three years, to review and update existing building codes.

Informed by the recommendations of the Council, AHFC will review and evaluate potential updates to the minimum building and energy codes it adheres to when purchasing mortgage loans for the acquisition, construction or improvement of housing in Alaska.

Ord says he’s enthusiastic that “AHFC’s Building Code Advisory Council will meet regularly throughout 2025, providing a new era of expert advice and recommendations amidst a continually adapting housing landscape. We’re grateful for their volunteer commitment to improving Alaska’s housing stock.”