In Remembrance of Ed Rasmuson

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Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH)


** WEEKLY DIGEST
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In Remembrance

Every member of the staff here at the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) honor the memory of visionary and philanthropist, Ed Rasmuson.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Ed Rasmuson, Chairman of the Rasmuson Foundation, on January 4th at age 81. It was the generosity and leadership of Mr. Rasmuson that made possible the work of ACEH, as well as the efforts of our many partners.

Our state has lost one of its most contemporary influential leaders. He was a man of great intellect and vision, with a sincere love for his family and community. He dedicated himself to building a better future for our state and contributed immensely to the cause of helping our unhoused neighbors here in Anchorage.

Mr. Rasmuson also set an example in his personal life, sharing a true heart to help the people of our city both with his time and generosity. Through his leadership on boards and through funding, ACEH and many service providers in town are able to carry out our vital work. In this way he touched the lives of all of us.

Through his influence the work of the Rasmuson Foundation will continue to grow, and his life and impact will never be forgotten.


It is with sincere gratitude that we offer our respect,

The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness

Read more about Ed Rasmuson on the Rasmuson Foundation website ([link removed]) .

*Photo via Rasmuson Foundation's website.
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** ACEH Updates
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The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) works with allies in the community to design, create, and lead implementation for the Anchorage community plan on homelessness.
More about ACEH ([link removed])


** Family Emergency Shelter Update
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Unfortunately Family Emergency Weather Shelter has hit yet another roadblock.
The Aptel and Aspen Hotel owner did not sign another contract for families to stay within the hotel past 1/8/2022. The families that were utilizing emergency weather have been moved to other shelters. Anchorage currently does not have a clear way forward to shelter families in need. Families should still call 2-1-1, but there is not a guarantee it will lead to finding shelter.

ACEH and our partners are trying our hardest to utilize resources around the Anchorage area to make sure no family with minors is sleeping in the cold; we will continue to fight for our families with minors to have a safe and warm place to sleep.

Please contact Mac for more information: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


** Case Conferencing and Coordinated Entry (CE) Training
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Case conferencing meets bi-weekly via Zoom. If you have any questions, or are interested in coordinated entry access point ([link removed]) training for you or your team, please contact Mac: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=o%09Case%20Conferencing%20Meetings%20%26%20Coordinated%20Entry%20Access%20Point%20Training)


** Outreach & Camp Abatements
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Camp outreach is scheduled to continue according to the following dates:
* CAP posted 3 camps on 12/22/21. Abated 1/31

Contact Dakota with any questions: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


** Answering Questions on Homelessness
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[link removed]
In this short video Taylor Donovan, Former ACEH Director of Operations, answers the question “Why are people unhoused?”.

This is the second video in our series "Answering questions on homelessness, with the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) ([link removed]) ".

Please share, and subscribe to our channel for future videos and updates!
View on YouTube ([link removed])
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** Local Housing & Homelessness Highlights
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Inspiring stories from the Anchorage community, news and information about housing and homelessness, and tangible ways you can get involved and help people in need.
View ACEH Members ([link removed])


** Member Wish Lists & Volunteer Opportunities:
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2022 Point-in-Time Count Donation List ([link removed])
D ([link removed]) onation Wish-List for Sullivan Guests ([link removed])
Fashion Pact "Stock the Shop" ([link removed])
Other Giving Opportunities ([link removed])
Reach out (mailto:[email protected]) if you would like us to share your organization's wish list!


** Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC)
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Register for the upcoming MLK Day Free Legal Clinic!

ACEH Member Alaska Legal Services Corporation ([link removed][0]=AZVIUqSSedrFYlF0MwqJhtW04are9hc7dx3lxPcGRjFzMNEBeNwWfgQvKt80w7BDPOTYbSUKHhA9trpIKogZQwXpquhR8tc2ZWz2y7mcU_5l4IGKLtgj1_sYqG14RDCxFTf2hxdUFTaZdrkVtKdbY043E-ZPEYU7p8V7I2D0OoG3wfmq4R_HUy-uQ4it1ft0zkc&__tn__=kK-R) and Alaska Bar Association are hosting this annual event virtually in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January, 17th.
View more details here: [link removed] ([link removed])
Register ([link removed])


** Anchorage Houseless Resources Advocacy Council (HRAC)
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Government supported Camps have been a part of numerous COVID intervention efforts.

Here are a few of the communities that HRAC checked out:
[Juneau was added to this list after the HP&RSAC presentation]
Athens, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Berkeley, California
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Denver, Colorado
Hillsboro, Oregon
Placerville, California
Portland, Oregon
Reno, Nevada
Sacramento, California
San Francisco, California
Tampa Bay, Florida

Learn more at Muni Camp Resources ([link removed])

For full article please reach out to HRAC: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
HRAC Muni Camp Resources ([link removed])


** National Housing & Homelessness Highlights
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** US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
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Omicron Surge and Homeless System Response
Over the next several weeks COVID-19 infections are expected to continue climbing as the Omicron variant predominates. The increased infectiousness of this mutation is causing surges in COVID-19 cases throughout the United States. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reduced isolation periods for the general population in its updated Quarantine and Isolation guidance ([link removed]) , released January 4, 2022, it clarified that the recommendation for isolation periods in high risk congregate settings, like homeless shelters, continues to be 10 days.

Guidance:
* Lower vaccination rates among people experiencing homelessness put them at increased risk of hospitalization from COVID.
* Due to the increased risk of hospitalization from COVID among people experiencing homelessness, expanding isolation space for people experiencing homelessness is an effective hospital surge prevention strategy that should be undertaken right now in communities experiencing outbreaks.
* Increased access to isolation space should be provided for people experiencing homelessness to reduce community COVID spread in a highly vulnerable population.
* Expanded isolation capacity should be focused on meeting the CDC’s isolation guidance and is a joint activity with emergency management and public health.

As communities implement infection control measures in high-risk congregate settings, like homeless shelters, it is critical that programs use all available tools to limit the impact of COVID-19 on highly vulnerable individuals ([link removed]) . Those measures include:
* Fully vaccinating all eligible populations – including booster shots for eligible populations
* Requiring all staff and residents to wear masks inside all facilities, regardless of vaccination status
* Maintaining or re-implementing six-foot distancing rules between beds and during meals
* Making quarantine and isolations spaces available for symptomatic and COVID-19 positive individuals
* Fully utilizing available non congregate sheltering options

Quarantine & Isolation Guide ([link removed])


** National Council of Nonprofits
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Unclear Path Forward for Congressional Priorities
The second session of the 117th Congress begins in uncertainty after the Senate negotiations stalled over the President’s climate and social spending priorities, the House-passed Build Back Better Act ([link removed]) . There remain many must-pass priorities, most notably resolution of a spending plan to fund the federal government past February 18 when the current “continuing resolution” expires. But while negotiations continue on the appropriations measures, Senators are turning to other issues. Senate Majority Leader Schumer plans to bring the
Freedom to Vote Act ([link removed]) to the Senate floor and, if that fails, debate and consider changes to the filibuster rule by Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Day. Here is the counter from Senate Republic Leader McConnell
([link removed]) . Also, several Senators reportedly have begun talks on crafting a narrow relief package for some hard-hit industries
([link removed]) . Charitable nonprofits have stakes in these policies and many other policy priorities


** National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
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Urge Congress to Expand Housing Investments through Build Back Better & FY22 Funding Bill
Congress will make critical decisions this year about whether and how to invest in affordable housing through the “Build Back Better Act” and the fiscal year (FY) 2022 spending bill.

Advocates should continue to urge their senators and representatives to use both pieces of legislation to expand housing resources for the lowest-income and most marginalized households in America.

Build Back Better
The Build Back Better Act is an historic economic recovery package that includes $150 billion for investments in affordable housing and community development programs, including significant funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top policy priorities ([link removed]) :
* $25 billion to expand housing vouchers to more than 300,000 households ([link removed])
* $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents
* $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes ([link removed]) for households with the lowest incomes

Full Update Here ([link removed])


** Bring Impact to Your Inbox
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ACEH Weekly Digest for 1/12/2022
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