Paula: A Heart for Alaska Housing

Paula leads with her heart. As the corporate marketing manager at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, she connects with Alaskans around the state, sharing resources to provide safe, quality, and affordable housing.

For her, the mission is personal.

Returning to AHFC

When Paula walked through the doors of AHFC’s Anchorage headquarters seven years ago as the corporate marketing manager, she was far from a new face to Alaska Housing. Years before, she’d worked as a case manager and later asset supervisor with Public Housing.

They were two of many positions Paula held while raising her three children. “At times I worked two jobs to support my family. It was hard work but well worth it.”

Those jobs have ranged from owner-manager of a general contractor business to a facility manager. “Everything I did, I did so that I could support my family and make ends meet,” she says.

Through hard work and tenacity, she built a place for herself and her close-knit family in the 49^th state. “When I meet people and hear their stories, I can relate,” she says.  "I wanted to work for Alaska Housing because of what we do for Alaskans.”

“My vocational choice was guided by the necessity to provide for my children and be present at the same time. Thanks to the benefits offered through AHFC programs, people have options and support to succeed, and it is genuinely rewarding to be a voice for that.”

A Place to call Home

Paula purchased her current home with an AHFC loan. At the time, she qualified for down payment assistance and interest-rate reduction that helped make it affordable to purchase a two-bedroom townhouse in Anchorage.

It was summer when she moved in. In the backyard, birch trees stretch out, their leaves providing shade. When winter came – a surprise. In the absence of birch leaves, the condo has a glorious view of Turnagain Arm and mountains to the southeast where Paula has a peekaboo view of the Inlet and sunsets.

The condo provided Paula with her own space which she’s worked on through hands-on remodels and do-it-yourself projects to reflect her personal style, which she describes as “country chic”.

Today that house is home to semi-regular family pajama parties with Paula's three children, five grandchildren and many animals. "I have quite the zoo, and they’re all rescues," she laughed.

Professionally, Paula strives to help other Alaskans achieve their own homeownership dreams.

A Voice for AHFC

Paula orchestrates Alaska Housing’s participation in events across the state, working closely with AHFC departments and their business partners to ensure vital resources reach Alaskans.

Stacy Barnes is Paula’s supervisor and says her “dedication to helping others shines through every role, driven by what she calls a ‘servant's heart’ and a deep desire to give back to the community.”

"I help departments make connections with the audiences that are important to them and help them to advance their programs and AHFC’s mission," Paula explains.

Whether it's promoting Alaska Housing’s 97% Loan-to-Value mortgage option or New Home Construction Rebate, Paula ensures AHFC’s presence at relevant gatherings throughout Alaska.

Paula says her favorite part of attending these events is connecting and pairing people with resources, and listening to success stories. "Every time we table an exhibit, people come up and say either ‘I’ve been helped by Alaska Housing at some point in my life’ or they have a family member or a friend who wouldn’t have a place to live or been able to buy a home without the support.”

"What brings me great joy is being able to see the opportunities that we help provide to people by supporting families to achieve homeownership and find the stability that housing provides," she shares.

She sums up the crucial elements of her job simply: "Making connections, answering questions, being there, being visible."

Dependable and Dedicated

In her years at Alaska Housing, Paula has coordinated dozens of events and connected hundreds of Alaskans to critical resources – sometimes managing AHFC’s appearance at as many as 70 events a year. Her current role builds upon a career consistently dedicated to serving her community, providing housing solutions and connecting Alaskans to vital support.

"I take pride in being dependable; people can count on me, they know that if they need something and I've said I'm going to do something, I follow through with that."