ACEH Supports Municipal Proposition 13

February 24, 2020
 
The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) supports the Anchorage Municipal ballot Proposition 13, which would establish a 5% retail alcohol tax to fund critical community public health and safety initiatives. This proposal includes providing additional resources to support local homeless services to reduce the impact of homelessness in the Anchorage community.
 
The proposed 5% retail tax would go into effect on February 1, 2021 and is estimated to generate $11-15 million annually.
 
These funds would be dedicated to specific uses including support for additional resources to address homelessness in Anchorage.
 
ACEH’s vision is to make homelessness in our community rare, brief and one-time. We believe that these additional resources will not only move our shared mission forward, but will help bend the curve in Anchorage’s efforts to reduce the impact of homelessness on individuals and the Anchorage community. Beyond direct homeless services, the funds would be used to support:

• child abuse prevention
• sexual assault & domestic violence prevention
• substance use disorder treatment & prevention resources
• mental health treatment resources
• additional police & first responders

These services are critical for our community’s overall health and have a direct impact on preventing homelessness in our community.
 
Building on community feedback to prior proposals, Proposition 13 funds will not only be dedicated to specific uses, there is also mandatory reporting to ensure responsible and transparent spending. Only voters will be able to make future changes to the tax and the funds will not be spent on general government expenses. Rather, the funds will be channeled into supporting the social safety net that creates a stronger and better resourced Anchorage for all community members.
 
ACEH, as the convener of the Homeless Response System, is supportive of additional resources to address homelessness and the social challenges that often lead individuals to experience homelessness. ACEH supports passage of Proposition 13, the proposal for a 5% retail sales tax on the April 7 Municipal ballot and encourages voters to vote “Yes” on this important legislation. For more information on Proposition 13 please visit ABetterAnchorage.com.