Anchorage Housing and Homeless Committee Meeting - November 19, 2025

The Anchorage Housing and Homeless Committee convened at 10:45 AM on November 19, 2025, to review updates on shelter surge capacity, HUD funding amendments, the new housing rehabilitation fund concept, micro-unit developments, and outreach initiatives. The meeting occurred without a full quorum (requiring four members), with Councilor Silvers designated to chair the session after Councilor Gerker departed. Key highlights included the expansion of shelter beds to support increased turnaways, a major reallocation of funds toward supportive services, and the launch of a community-managed "Good Neighbor Fund." Public commenters expressed strong concerns regarding the leadership role of law enforcement in outreach and highlighted gaps in shelter accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Consent Calendar

• No items were listed for the Consent Calendar in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jamie Lopez (East Anchorage formerly Coalition): Expressed opposition to the current strategy of leading outreach with law enforcement. Lopez stated that law enforcement should not be the lead due to trauma inflicted on the unhoused population by police interactions. Lopez expressed concern that pairing services with police prevents individuals from accepting aid. Stated strong support for Kenny Peterson's work but expressed dissatisfaction that people with lived experiences are not present at committee meetings to speak.
• Karen Barnard (Identified as Homeless): Expressed full frustration regarding repeated denials of federal law requests for reasonable accommodation (specifically a solo room) at all shelters visited. Stated that current shelter conditions are dangerous due to roommates' behaviors and expressed concern that illegal evictions and landlord theft of property are unaddressed. Expressed support for the resolution for poor-performing landlords being active rather than tabled, noting it is needed immediately. Expressed concern regarding vigilante parking enforcement notes received by residents.

Discussion Items

Shelter Surge Capacity and Operations

• Kimberly Rash (Anchorage Health Department): Described a process where surge capacity is authorized when the system reaches critical usage. Stated that as of the meeting, authorization was pending for an additional 50 beds (10 at Henning Inc., 40 at MASH), which would bring totals to 150 beds at both East 56th and East 5th Avenue locations. Noted that surge beds are charged at the same contractual rate as standard beds ($83.69 for Henning, $108 for MASH) and that funding requests will be made to the Assembly.
• Kathleen McLaughlin (Restorative and Re-entry Services): Corrected the record, stating the new 150-bed count at East 56th was active as of that Monday. Stated that surge decisions are made weekly based on real-time data after the current system reaches capacity. Noted that the Alex shelter is operating well, while the Linda's Place location faces mechanical issues (elevator/water leaks) requiring bed swaps. Described successful joint outreach with APD to move encampment residents into shelter and hotels.
• Councilor Silvers: Questioned the persistent presence of individuals in camps despite these efforts. Stated that neighbors in the Nunaka area are concerned about safety. Asked to identify the main drivers for those refusing services, noting that some individuals appear to be seeking enforcement rather than solutions.
• Thea Agnu Benben (Mayor's Office): Explained that factors for non-engagement include addiction, distrust of law enforcement, outstanding legal warrants, and a lack of trust in the system. Stated that the administration is working on a housing rehabilitation fund using $1.3 million originally appropriated for land trusts, matched by CDBG funds, to provide small repair grants and gap financing for multi-unit developments.

HUD Funding and ARAM Updates

• Kimberly Rash: Described a request for a substantial amendment to reprogram $550,000 from affordable housing development to supportive services (child care, job training, legal services, etc.) based on public input. Stated the intent is to conduct a competitive procurement process to move shelter populations into permanent housing.
• Councilor Silvers: Questioned the specific target population for the new supportive services. Received clarification that the RFP will specifically target individuals currently in shelter to move them into housing.

Micro-Unit Development

• Thea Agnu Benben: Reported rapid progress on the Tudor and Elmore micro-unit site, with site prep complete and units moving in the coming week. Stated that an additional 8 units funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies are being constructed for a mid-December move-in. Announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for December 10th and noted that the operator selection is nearing finalization.
• Councilor Silvers: Inquired about the timeline for residents to move in. Received confirmation that the operator will conduct screening and intake once under contract.

Police Outreach and Abatements

• Lieutenant Fuchs (APD): Described the launch of the Anchorage Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team (AMDOT), a coordinated approach involving police and service providers. Stated that the team aims to resolve low-level issues like trespassing or failure-to-appear warrants on-site by coordinating with prosecutors, provided the offenses are not crimes of violence. Noted that felony warrants still require processing through jail.
• Jared Gerker: Asked for specifics on the low-level offenses being handled. Received confirmation that the team handles misdemeanors like petty theft, shoplifting, and disorderly conduct on a case-by-case basis.

Good Neighbor Fund

• Kenny Peterson: Presented the formal launch of the Good Neighbor Fund, managed by the Alaska Community Foundation. Stated that the fund currently holds over $25,000 with 50 donors. Declared that 100% of donated dollars go directly to aid, with administrative costs covered separately. Invited the Assembly and community members to contribute, emphasizing the fund's role in preventing panhandling issues by providing direct resources.

Key Outcomes

• Shelter Capacity Updates: The committee was informed that shelter capacity is actively expanding, with East 56th (Henning Inc.) at 150 beds as of the week of November 17-19, 2025, pending final approval for the full 150-bed surge at Linda's Place (MASH) as well.
• Funding Reallocations: The Health Department is preparing a proposal to reprogram $550,000 from the Home ARP funds from development to supportive services, with a target agenda item for December 2nd or December 16th.
• Housing Rehabilitation Fund Concept: The Mayor's Office presented a concept to establish a housing rehabilitation fund using $1.3 million from the Affordable Housing and Land Trust, to be matched by CDBG and HOME funds, aimed at both small repairs and gap financing for developers. This item is expected to come before the Assembly by December 2nd.
• Micro-Unit Timeline: The Tudor and Elmore micro-unit project has a scheduled ribbon-cutting for December 10, 2025, with full completion and move-ins anticipated by mid-December.
• Good Neighbor Fund Launch: The fund was officially launched with >$25,000 in assets, and a call for Assembly members to promote community donations was issued.
• Federal Funding Warning: The Health Department noted significant federal Changes to the Continuum of Care funding structure, reducing the percentage of renewal funding for permanent housing from 90% to 30% and requiring all projects to reapply, necessitating future committee discussion.