Anchorage Homelessness and Housing Commission Meeting – September 12, 2025

The Anchorage Homelessness and Housing Commission met on September 12, 2025, to discuss action items, receive updates on housing and homelessness initiatives, and hear public testimony. Key topics included tabling a resolution on the 10,000 Homes initiative, letting a resolution on AO2025-7 die, micro-unit projects, rental assistance cliff, and public comments on poverty prevention, outreach, and sanctioned camping.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved the minutes from the July 2, 2025 meeting without amendment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ruth (Nine Star, 33 years) : Expressed strong support for prevention and workforce development to move people out of poverty, not just provide housing. Described Nine Star’s Center for Workforce Excellence and its goal of integrating funding and providing career advancement. Shared a story of a family that exited homelessness but struggled due to lack of follow-up.
• Jamie Lopez (Formerly of East Anchorage Coalition) : Described the “poverty trap” created by voucher programs, where earning between $42,000–$45,000/year leads to loss of housing support. Reported that hundreds of people remain unsheltered, with coalition data showing 163 unaccompanied minors, 556 sheltered, 734 active in HMIS but not tracked, and 33 lost to follow-up. Raised concerns about hotel blacklists, lack of appeals, and displacement from abatements. Advocated for sanctioned camping with basic services and non-police outreach, warning of worsening outcomes without action.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Approval and Order of Business : The commission discussed whether to remove two action items (D1 and D2) for which resolutions were not prepared. They decided to leave them on the agenda and later vote to table them.
• Action Item D1 – Resolution on Municipal Initiative 10,000 Homes in 10 Years : After discussion, the commission voted to table this item to the October meeting (motion by Commissioner, seconded). Reasoning included waiting for more information and drafting a resolution with Commissioner Michelle’s input.
• Action Item D2 – Resolution on AO2025-7 (version S1) : Because the ordinance had already passed the Assembly and was being enforced, the commission agreed to let this item die. No formal motion was made.
• Community Safety and Development (CSD) Division Update (Jed) :
  • The 2025 Action Plan has been approved by the Assembly and is ready for HUD submission, ahead of schedule.
  • Upcoming RFPs for public services, HOME funds, and reallocation of prior-year funds ($200,000–$400,000) possibly directed toward micro-unit projects.
  • Micro-units at the Tudor Elmore site: 24 units (with potential for 8 more) using modular construction from an Alaska manufacturer. The site is a fenced paved lot south of the motorcycle school. Access likely off Tudor. No on-site parking; targeted at carless individuals in a structured recovery residence program. Temporary two-year project.
  • End of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) on September 30: CSD is exploring using HOME ARP funds to cushion the cliff. Urged grantees to submit weekly numbers.
• Roberts Rules Training : Scheduled for September 3, 2025 (noted as date of next meeting).
• Parks and Rec Committee Visit : August 14, 2025, still on agenda; commission may present annual report.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner read a comment from Dave about improving the winter shelter planning and RFP process to allow multi-year funding and better coordination. The commission agreed to put the winter outreach and shelter planning on a future agenda.
• Several commissioners expressed interest in revisiting sanctioned camping, noting a 2023 task force whose recommendations (11 sites whittled to 6, then never implemented) lacked follow-up. They called for an update on that work and a commission resolution to advocate for permanent solutions rather than temporary ones.
• Discussion of winter mobile outreach: Questions raised about current municipal outreach practices and possible improvements. Request to hear from Lila or others at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• The commission voted to table Action Item D1 (10,000 Homes resolution) to the October meeting (no opposition).
• Action Item D2 (AO2025-7 resolution) was allowed to die without action.
• The minutes from July 2, 2025 were approved.
• The commission agreed to add winter outreach and sanctioned camping updates to a future agenda, possibly the September 3 meeting (pending coordination with Thea).
• No other formal votes were taken.

Announcements

• Project Homeless Connect is in September; organizations invited to table and volunteer.
• HUD Secretary will visit Anchorage next week; discussions will include prevention funds and innovative local projects like recovery residences.