Anchorage Assembly Approves $1.5 Million For Homeless Project
On Tuesday night, the Anchorage Assembly approved a $1.5 million grant in a 10-1 vote to support a pilot project aimed at providing apartments and support services to 150 individuals currently residing in an emergency cold weather shelter in Anchorage.
This funding is part of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness’ Next Step program, which aims to house 150 people by the end of April. The program, inspired by similar efforts in Houston, Texas, is part of a larger $4.6 million campaign to significantly reduce homelessness.
Felix Rivera, the Assembly member spearheading homelessness issues, emphasized the need for impactful action to restore community faith in resolving homelessness, noting the growing fatigue and loss of hope among Anchorage residents.
The Next Step program will cover up to a year’s rent and utilities for a one-bedroom apartment, along with case management services, including weekly visits and one-time expenses like security deposits and moving costs.
Zac Johnson, an Assembly member, initially expressed concerns that the program might exacerbate the city’s tight rental market, potentially increasing rents and displacing others. However, Jessica Parks, the coalition’s chief operating officer, clarified that the program targets older, privately owned units typically not on the market and focuses on single-room occupancies, which are often not included in vacancy rate statistics.
Parks further explained the role of case managers in the program, who will develop individualized housing stabilization plans for clients, focusing on income and health goals.
Scott Myers was the lone Assembly member to vote against the proposal, and he did not publicly explain his decision. Vice Chair Meg Zaletel, also the coalition’s executive director, recused herself due to a conflict of interest.
The funding for the Next Step program comes from Anchorage’s alcohol tax revenue. In the same meeting, the Assembly allocated an additional $500,000 from the alcohol tax for a potential tiny home, transitional shelter pilot project. This decision followed critical feedback and a revised approach by Rivera, favoring a competitive procurement process over a previous plan with a specific operator and shelter type.
The Assembly will review and approve proposals for this project, with several members advocating for a focus on permanent housing solutions. Rivera acknowledged the current challenges, citing approximately 800 people living in emergency winter shelters or unsheltered in the city, and the limited capacity of the housing and labor market for support staff to accommodate them all, especially with winter shelters set to close at the end of April.
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