Mayor Announces Homelessness Action Plan

Housing units + affordable access for tenants and landlords + health + employment = community participation and housing stability

Mayor's Corner

11/17/2015

ANCHORAGE – Today, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced a plan to provide 300 units of affordable and accessible housing targeting the most high-risk, high-cost homeless individuals on the streets of Anchorage.

“As temperatures hover below zero, we must take steps now to ensure all Anchorage residents have safe and stable housing,” stated Mayor Berkowitz. “That starts by setting an aggressive goal and coordinating public and private resources to help the chronically homeless in Anchorage.”

The Berkowitz Plan proposes an ambitious goal of 300 units of housing in three years, with results-based coordination of services and measured outcomes of achievement. The plan commits Municipal funds to support rental assistance and development of new units. It also calls for expansion of the cold weather shelters. The Administration recently worked with the Downtown Soup Kitchen to provide shelter space for 30 women.

The plan was announced at Sitka Place, a permanent supported housing facility opened with support from a $200,000 Municipal grant, leveraging $1.5 million in State and Federal funds. Sitka Place currently houses 36 residents, with capacity for 20 more tenants.

For more information, contact Myer Hutchinson at (907) 343-7133.

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