Solutions to Housing Insecurity Discussion
Spotlight
Housing Security is a Major Issue as Winter Approaches and the Continued Economic Impacts of COVID-19 are Felt in Our Community
For the premiere of the latest season of Alaska Insight, Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness‘s Jasmine Boyle and Policy and Data Analyst Helen Renfrew join host Lori Townsend to discuss solutions to housing insecurity. – Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Local Housing & Homelessness News & Updates
Municipality of Anchorage (MOA)
MOA Awards Mass Care Shelter Contract
On September 12, The MOA announced it awarded the contract to continue mass care shelter with the contractor 99 Plus 1, Inc. The plan is for 99 Plus 1 to operate out of Sullivan Arena starting 9/13. Bean’s Café will be ending operations this week.
According to the MOA press release, ”as part of the transition to 99 Plus 1, Inc., no clients will have to leave and there will be adequate staff. Also 99 Plus 1, Inc. will be onsite on Monday, September 13th to interview prospective employees. There will be bedding, food, and navigation services available.”
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Mental Health Mosaics Call for Art
Mental Health Mosaics is an art and podcast project that seeks to foster and normalize open conversations around mental health by exploring the issue through a variety of social and cultural lenses. It centers the stories of people with lived experience. One element of the project is a Call for Art. We’re seeking artists, musicians, writers, and creators of any medium to submit works in response to ten different mental-health-related prompts.
The artists who are selected will receive a $500 honorarium, and your work will be featured alongside the podcast on the Mosaics website, community events, and at a final show.
The submission deadline is September 30, 11:59PM
Find out more at mentalhealthmosaics.org.
Mosaics is a collaboration between Out North, and NAMI-Anchorage.
Homeless Prevention & Response System Advisory Council Monthly Meeting
Special Presentation on Emergency Rental Assistance and Evictions, by Helen Renfrew, ACEH Program & Grants Manager
9/23/2021 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Click to Join: Zoom Video Conference (please be sure to update your name when you join)
Houseless Lived Experience Advisory Board
Individuals with lived experienced are encouraged to apply.
To apply, go to this link – https://onboard.muni.org/apply and select the “Houseless Lived Experience Advisory Board” option from the dropdown.
See the 08/10/2021 Anchorage Municipality Ordinance here
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Alaska Housing Stabilization and Recovery Program
AHFC is now accepting Letters of Interest from nonprofit organizations that want to help implement the newly created Alaska Housing Stability and Recovery (AHSAR) program.
This federally funded program is made possible by the American Rescue Plan. This program will operate statewide and is being developed to help homeless Alaskans obtain rental housing.
Prospective Agency Partners must satisfy the following criteria:
1) Be not-for-profit agencies with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) designation
2) Have demonstrable experience serving homeless Alaskans
3) Be Alaska-based agencies
AHFC Employment Library
AHFC recently added a library of resources to their website including checklists, videos, and specific examples.
ACEH Outreach Updates
There will be no VISIT Healthcare testing or vaccination clinic this week due to scheduling conflicts. We plan to schedule regular clinics next week.
Reminder: The next Outreach Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8th at 10 AM.
Please reach out with any questions or comments: jrutz@aceh.org 907-312-9478
National Housing & Homelessness News & Updates
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Child Tax Credit Navigator Training
Experts estimate the new Child Tax Credit has the potential to cut child poverty in half. It provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and provides historic relief to most working families ($3,000 per child between 6-17 years old and $3,600 per child under six years old).
Register today for the upcoming Child Tax Credit navigator training on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 from 1:30 – 2:30 PM EDT.
New CoC and ESG Financial Management Virtual Binder Now Available
The new Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Financial Management Virtual Binder is now available on the HUD Exchange. This binder provides a comprehensive overview of HUD’s financial management guidance for the CoC and ESG program. Recipient and subrecipient staff are encouraged to review this binder to ensure that appropriate internal structures and policies are in place to manage federal funds. Included in this binder:
- Guidance that recipient and subrecipient staff can reference to ensure full compliance with CoC and ESG Interim Rules
- Overview of elements necessary for adequate financial practices
- Financial management training materials and tools
- Answers to commonly held questions regarding the financial management of federal funds
National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
Legislation to Reform Emergency Rental Assistance Program Passes House Committee
The House Financial Services Committee voted 28 to 22 to approve the “Expediting Assistance to Renters and Landlords Act,” introduced by Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA) to address and correct many of the root causes of slow ERA spending and provide tenant protections. NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel testified before the committee at its September 10 hearing on reforms to ERA programs.
Case Conferencing and Coordinated Entry (CE) Training
If you have any questions about these meetings or are interested in coordinated entry access point training for you or your team, please contact Mac Lyons at: mlyons@aceh.org
What is CE? CE is a triage process to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to necessary resources. It is a federally mandated program that recognizes communities rarely have enough resources. There are three main goals of CE: prioritize the most vulnerable, streamline the experience for providers and unsheltered people, and provide data to inform decisions regarding the structure of and need for services.
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Recent News
The Homelessness Prevention & Response System
The Homelessness Prevention & Response System serves those at risk of or experiencing homelessness to safely house people.
Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness Monthly Data Report
Since September 2022, the HPRS has seen a 28% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. Why?
Homelessness is the result of not enough housing
MEASURING NEEDS ACROSS THE SYSTEM The Gap Analysis quantifies the scale of estimated need for improvement (gaps) in the HPRS.