The prospect of mining has raised concerns about environmental issues such as water quality and diminished scenic and recreation value of the land. As tour offerings increase, some residents worry about crowding, traffic, and a decreased access to and quality of recreation for residents. Over the next few years, the community will continue to debate how to balance environmental and development needs and resident and visitor interests. With the exception of the recession, Juneau's housing market has been notoriously tight. The lack of housing has curtailed enrollment at the university, generated complaints from businesses looking to locate or expand, and has been cited as a reason to move the capital from Juneau.
Several factors contribute to the housing shortfall.
Juneau's dependence on one industry has discouraged investment in housing. During the recession when government employment fell sharply, many home owners defaulted on their loans. This experience created cautious lenders unwilling to loan for speculative building. Uncertainty caused by continuing ballot initiatives to move the capital northward also dampened building activity. Since the 1992 vote to keep the capital in Juneau, housing construction has soared.