If you've lived in Nome for any length of time, you've seen them: homes that have gone dark, doors that don't close right, windows that have been broken for months or years. Vacant and abandoned properties have become one of the most visible — and most serious — challenges facing our community.

Nome's climate makes this problem especially urgent. An unoccupied home that isn't maintained through an Arctic winter doesn't just deteriorate — it can collapse, become a fire hazard, or create dangerous conditions for neighbors and emergency responders. And with housing already scarce in our region, every home lost to neglect is a home that someone in our community could have used.

The ripple effects of abandoned properties touch all of us:

So what can we do? The first step is knowing where these properties are — and that's where you come in.

We've set up a simple, anonymous online form where Nome residents can flag vacant, abandoned, or hazardous properties in their neighborhood. Your report helps us build a clearer picture of the problem and work toward real solutions.

Filling out the form takes about two minutes. Here's what to include:

• 1The property address
• 2Whether it looks vacant, occupied, or you're not sure
• 3A photo if you can safely take one
• 4A brief description of the condition
• 5The owner's name, if you happen to know it

You don't have to give your name. This isn't about pointing fingers at neighbors — it's about making sure the right people know where help is needed so action can actually happen.

Nome is a resilient community. We look out for each other through long winters, isolation, and challenges that most places never face. Tackling our vacant property problem is the same kind of effort — neighbors paying attention, speaking up, and trusting that it matters. Because it does.

Questions? Reach out to your local community contact — we're here to help.