Anchorage, AK – Today, the Anchorage Administration and Legislative Drafting Group announced a resolution for consideration at the April 26 Regular Assembly Meeting which affirms the following:
- The Municipality commits to achieving the goals of Housing First and functional zero within 2 years from the date construction is complete and the Navigation Center is fully operational.
- The Municipality commits to developing a program for low barrier shelter and for a navigation center utilizing both local and national subject matter experts, which (1) utilizes Housing First principles, the five keys to effective low barrier shelter and meets the adopted definition of what constitutes a Navigation Center, (2) join the Navigation Center community of practice, (3) identify a dedicated point person within the Administration to participate and bring additional MOA employees to participate as appropriate and requested, and (4) the program developed by this work group will be used to evaluate responses to any requests for proposals for operators of the low barrier shelter and navigation center at this location.
- The Municipality commits to ending operations of the Navigation Center once the following has been achieved:
(1) At any point in time, the number of people experiencing sheltered or unsheltered homelessness will be no greater than the current monthly housing placement rate for people experiencing homelessness, or (2) where the total number of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in the Municipality is less than one hundred and fifty (150).
- The Navigation Center is considered an emergency shelter location and use of emergency surge capacity will be activated and deactivated following requirements in AMC chapter 16.120, Emergency Shelter Plan for Homeless Persons.
- The Municipality calls upon all community partners to work together in achieving these community goals.
The above commitments mirror the true intent of the Navigation Center, which is to transition individuals to housing, and sets us on a path to achieving functional zero, which is a milestone that indicates a community has measurably ended homelessness for a population. Functional zero is a top goal of the Anchored Home Plan.
Please find attached the resolution which we hope will be laid-on-the-table on Tuesday, April 26.
Media Contacts:
Corey Allen Young, Communications Director, Mayor's Office, corey.young@anchorageak.gov, 907-229-4150
Felix Rivera, Anchorage Assembly, felix.rivera@anchorageak.gov, 907-764-0841
John Weddleton, Anchorage Assembly, john.weddleton@anchorageak.gov, 907-770-0685
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