Assembly Budget & Finance Committee Co-Chair Anna Brawley and Housing & Homelessness Committee Chair Felix Rivera are sponsoring a $2M proposal to continue funding 2023-2024 Emergency Cold Weather Shelter operations this spring. AR 2024-32 would direct unspent funds—$1.5M from the alcohol tax and $500,000 from the general government operating fund—to supplement the 2023-2024 Emergency Cold Weather Sheltering plan as the closure of cold weather shelter services nears this spring.
“I’m proud of our shift in strategy—and the positive results that followed—behind the emergency cold weather plan this winter season,” said Member Rivera. “The success of the Next Step pilot program is proof of concept that our combination of sheltering at hotels and the vacant SWS building is working to get people housed. Our funding proposal helps sustain our work this winter, but we know it won’t be enough to get us through spring.”
The sponsors published a substitute (S) version of AR 2024-32 to add clauses expressing the intent to extend Emergency Cold Weather Shelter operations to May 31, 2024 without relying solely on the alcohol tax.
“If last year is any indication, we know it will take time for this heavy snowfall to melt and for temperatures to warm up,” said Member Brawley. “Member Rivera and I are planning ahead to fund emergency cold weather shelter through May, with an intentional transition into summer. We anticipate needing one additional appropriation, and we also know we’ve relied heavily on unspent alcohol tax to meet our needs for multiple years. So we’re seeking to reassure our colleagues and the public that we will prioritize all other possible funding sources before drawing from the alcohol tax again.”
AR 2024-32 will open for a public hearing at the Regular Assembly Meeting tomorrow, January 23, 2024.
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Contact:
Anna Brawley | Assembly Member, anna.brawley@anchorageak.gov
Felix Rivera | Assembly Housing & Homelessness Committee Chair, felix.rivera@anchorageak.gov