ANCHORAGE – Today the Municipality of Anchorage and The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority signed a Memorandum of Agreement creating a Homeless Coordinator position at the Municipality of Anchorage. The coordinator will report directly to Mayor Berkowitz, to find new and cost effective strategies to reduce homelessness in Anchorage. The Trust will fund the position for 18 months, with an opportunity for an 18 month extension.
The coordinator position will be filled by Nancy Burke, a senior program officer specializing in housing at the Trust. Burke has a Master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University in adult and family mental health services and over 20 years of professional experience in disability and mental health services.
“We need a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach to these issues that affect us all. Nancy brings a wealth of knowledge to our team and will hit the ground running,” said Mayor Berkowitz.
Nancy will begin work September 1 on the following tasks:
- Create an action plan within the first 60 days.
- Examine funding spent within the Municipality by public and private entities and make recommendations for improved coordination of services and housing.
- Provide coordination to reduce impediments to fair housing by working with Municipal departments such as Health and Human Services and Community Development, as well as with community partners, in the effort to eliminate barriers to permanent supportive housing.
- Address the need for coordination of homeless family services and resources available for stabilization of these families.
- Develop a downtown Anchorage plan to better coordinate emergency services and reduce neighborhood impacts.
Homelessness was identified as a major challenge by a broad spectrum of community members and named a top priority in the transition report. Hiring a homeless coordinator at the Municipality within the first 60 days was a recommendation by the Transition’s Homelessness Committee.
“The Trust is excited about working closely with the Muni and the potential for what we can do for housing in the Anchorage community and the direct impact on our beneficiaries,” said Jeff Jessee, CEO of the Trust.
For more information, contact Myer Hutchinson at (907) 343-7133.
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