Demand exceeds tight supply in Wrangell housing market

Finding an apartment or home to rent or buy is difficult in Wrangell, leaving many scrambling for a place to live.

“Wrangell is extremely tight, plain and simple,” said Bennett McGrath, owner of Anchor Properties in Petersburg. McGrath’s business focuses on home sales in Wrangell, Petersburg and Sitka. Kathleen Harding with MoveToWrangell.com is the only agent based in Wrangell.

A survey of landlords conducted by the state earlier this year showed no vacancies for one-bedroom apartments and homes in the Wrangell/Petersburg census area.

In addition, rent has increased over the past year. Accord...