Call to action on Homeless Assistance Program

A successful shelter, housing and services program is in danger of being cut in half this legislative session.

The Homeless Assistance Program helps at-risk Alaskans access services — emergency shelter and supportive services, rapid rehousing and eviction prevention. It provides flexible funds for community-specific projects that aid individuals and families in securing and maintaining safe, stable housing. The governor’s proposed capital and mental health budgets cut this year’s $10.15 million for the AHFC Homeless Assistance Program to $5 million. Of the $5 million, $950,000 comes through the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and the rest is from general funds. The Alaska House has passed the FY27 mental health budget with HAP cut to the $5 million level. The companion measure, SB 215, is now before the Senate Finance Committee. The capital budgets, HB 264 and SB 214, also provide avenues for advocacy.

We are asking our partners and individual Alaskans to reach out to their legislators with a request for FY27 HAP funding to remain the same as in FY26 at $10.15 million. In Anchorage, the funds add capacity for AWAIC, the Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, and Covenant House for emergency shelter. Alaska Behavioral Health uses the funds for a youth day center that includes help with employment. Across Alaska, some 34 different organizations respond to homelessness or the threat of homelessness with these dollars. A number of domestic violence shelters, which may be the only shelter in a community, rely on HAP funds. The cuts threaten the very viability of programs that already operate on thin margins.



We invite you to use this language or make it your own:

Please restore funding for the Homeless Assistance Program to a total of $10.15 million, the same level as in FY26, in both the mental health and capital budgets. This will require an increase in general funds to $9.2 million while keeping the amount from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority at $950,000. HAP helps at-risk Alaskans access services — emergency shelter and supportive services, rapid rehousing and eviction prevention. Across Alaska, from Nome to Ketchikan, some 34 different organizations respond to homelessness or the threat of homelessness with these dollars. A number of domestic violence shelters, which may be the only shelter in a community, rely on HAP funds. These cuts threaten the very viability of programs that already operate on thin margins. Let’s invest in programs that help our neighbors!

This is the No. 1 legislative priority for both the Anchorage Continuum of Care and the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.



Thank you for supporting this advocacy!

Invitation to Anchorage Youth Action Board summit 

Community members interested in improving the approach to young adults experiencing homelessness are invited to the Anchorage Youth Action Board’s A.W.A.Y. Summit on May 4 at the University of Alaska Anchorage Den. At the Alaska Wellness for At-Risk Youth Summit, attendees will share resources, explore strategies to improve outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness, and work on a solution-oriented future. The event includes a youth art showcase. Space is limited! Youth age 25 and younger are free but need to register. General admission is $45, which includes food.

Meanwhile, the Anchorage Youth Action Board is taking action! Members testified to the Senate Health & Social Services Committee about challenges that young people face in moving toward independence and offered solutions. They talked about navigating public benefits, resources in schools, the hours of Alaska’s 2-1-1 help line, and other issues.

Senators were receptive to their suggestions and noted areas of progress already underway. Watch the presentation here.

Help plan Project Homeless Connect 2026

Our team is looking for partners and community members to serve on the planning committee for Project Homeless Connect, a one-day, one-stop resource fair for people experiencing homelessness. We are seeking committed individuals to take part in hybrid bi-weekly planning meetings on first and third Mondays through October as well as participate in Project Homeless Connect. The event is set for Monday, Oct. 26, at the Egan Center. Email [email protected] to join the planning committee.

This event provides vital connections, services and resources to our unhoused neighbors. Anyone interested in taking part as a service provider, sponsor or volunteer, please let us know and we will put you on the email list.

New investments in homelessness response

Strong partnerships just multiplied support for Anchorage neighbors working toward housing.

Three Alaska financial institutions — Northern Skies Federal Credit Union, Northrim Bank, and First National Bank Alaska — secured grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund, unlocking $66,500 to strengthen our community’s response to homelessness.

Through the program, every $1 contributed by the local institutions was matched with $2.50 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, dramatically expanding the impact of their commitment. This may be the first time this FHLB of Des Moines offered these grants in Alaska, and we are thrilled to be supported by three local lenders. Thanks to all for this support!

These funds will support the Project Homeless Connect resource fair including the purchase of life-saving winter gear, technology for the Alaska Housing Summit, and our ongoing efforts to help our unhoused neighbors move toward stability and housing.

Together, these investments strengthen both the services people rely on today and the systems that help our neighbors with what we all seek: A place to call home.