Senate Finance Committee Budget Testimony

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Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH)


** WEEKLY DIGEST
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Spotlight
Senate Finance Committee Budget Testimony

Tomorrow and Friday you have the opportunity to call in and ask the Senate Finance Committee to invest in housing solutions for Alaska. This is the time to make your voice heard and to share your experience as service providers and Alaskans!
Alaska has a serious housing shortage, and legislators need to hear about the issue firsthand from people who are affected by it. If you believe that housing is the solution to homelessness and that there aren’t enough units to meet the needs of our community, consider providing testimony.

Thursday, April 7(1½ minute time limit per person!)
9:30-10:30am = Interior, Fairbanks, Copper River Valley, Offnets*
1:00-2:30pm = Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utquiagvik, Unalaska, Dillingham, Offnets*

Friday, April 8 (1½ minute time limit per person!)
9:00-10:30am = Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, Offnets*
1:00-2:30pm = Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, Mat-Su

*Offnets are call-in opportunities for Alaskans without access to a Legislative Information Office (LIO), or for whom it is a hardship getting to an LIO.

Call-in by Phone:
Anchorage phones only = 907-563-9085
Juneau phones only = 907-586-9085
All phones outside Anchorage and Juneau = 844-586-9085

Send an email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
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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])


** [link removed] 2022 Data
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Individuals housed: 86
Individuals new to homelessness: 178
Total individuals experiencing homelessness: 2,953

View the full Data Dashboard ([link removed])
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** Your Voice Matters!
Sign the Letter of Support for the Alaska Housing Trust
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The Alaska Housing Trust (AHT) will produce, preserve, and protect housing for all Alaskans. Visit AlaskaHousingTrust.org ([link removed]) to learn more about the Trust. If your question isn't answered in the FAQ section ([link removed]) , you can reach out to Owen Hutchinson, ACEH Director of External Relations at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Please consider offering your support by signing the online letter ([link removed]) , and spreading the word about this exciting initiative.
Sign the Support Letter ([link removed])
Frequently Asked Questions ([link removed])


** 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])


** Alaska Medical Missions
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Gallon Hand Sanitizer Bottles
Alaska Medical Missions received a surplus of gallon hand sanitizer bottles and would like to distribute them to non-profit organizations in Alaska that might need them. Please contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or call 907-522-7202 to request a donation.”


** Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
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Encourage Committee Members to move HB172 and SB124 Mental Health Facilities & Meds to Pass this Session.
As a part of ongoing efforts to improve Alaska's response to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, changes to Alaska's Title 47 laws have been proposed.

For more information about efforts to improve Alaska's Behavioral Health Crisis response, please visit: [link removed] ([link removed])

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Williams, Chief Operating Officer: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
* Infographic: Changes to Involuntary Commitment with Statutory Changes ([link removed])

HB 172
* Transmittal Letter ([link removed]) (Sponsor Statement)
* Bill Text ([link removed])
* Fiscal Notes ([link removed])
* Supplemental Documents ([link removed])
* HB172 Introductory Presentation Slides, House JUD Committee, 5.14.21 ([link removed])
+ Audio/video of the House JUD Presentation, 5.14.21 ([link removed])
* HB172 Working Draft House JUD Committee Substitute ([link removed]) , 5.14.21
* House JUD Committee Substitute for HB172 ([link removed]) 2.28.22

SB 124
* Transmittal Letter ([link removed]) (Sponsor Statement)
* Definitions in AS47.30.915 ([link removed])
* Bill Text ([link removed])
* Fiscal Notes ([link removed])
* Supplemental Documents ([link removed])
* SB124 Introductory Presentation Slides, Senate HSS Committee, 4.27.21 ([link removed])
+ Audio/Video of Senate HSS Presentation, 4.27.21 ([link removed])
* SB124 Working Draft Senate HSS Committee Substitute ([link removed]) 3.8.22

SB124/HB172 Mental Health Facilities Talking Points ([link removed])


** Homeless Response Advisory Council (HRAC)
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HRAC First Thursday Meeting at Loussac & on Zoom
HRAC Voting Members and Allies meet on the First Thursday of each month to catch up on what's going on with everyone, formulate positions for HRAC advocacy on behalf of Anchorage houseless folk, and brainstorm ways to be helpful.

April 7th from 3:00-5:00 in the Beluga Room in the Loussac Library (Masks Required).
If you are unable to join in person, you can catch up with HRAC on Zoom ([link removed])

Meeting ID: 842 5174 4869 / Passcode: 227190

HRAC is also looking for people with lived experience to join their Steering Committee. Contact HRAC for more information: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Meeting Details (mailto:[link removed])


** National Housing & Homelessness Highlights
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** US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
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Guidance for Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining People with Lived Experience and Expertise of Homelessness
Forming partnerships with individuals with lived expertise is urgent and necessary in the fight to end homelessness. As communities grapple with how to create more equitable systems, the increasing awareness of the importance of engaging individuals with lived expertise ([link removed]) of homelessness presents new possibilities for implementing equitable change. Hiring people with lived expertise is one of several ([link removed]) staffing options for COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grants ([link removed]) (ESG-CV) administration
([link removed]) . Whatever the position within the organization, the benefits to the workplace and for the person with lived experience and expertise is a win-win!
Before the hiring process begins, there are some key requirements for the recruitment, hiring, effective onboarding, and retention of people who have experienced homelessness: inclusive ([link removed]) and equitable hiring practices; staff orientation ([link removed]) to racial equity ([link removed]) and trauma; a supportive workplace that creates a sense of belonging; and a workplace environment that values the awareness, knowledge, and wisdom that comes from experiencing homelessness. To end homelessness, it is important to develop authentic partnerships with people who have experienced it. Hiring people who are experts by experience ([link removed]) allows for the exploration of new
opportunities for both the organization and the individual.
Read the Guidance ([link removed])


** National Alliance to End Homelessness
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New Tool Identifies Expiring Federal Resources for Homelessness
The current Declaration of Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 will expire April 16. USICH has released a new tool ([link removed]) that outlines federal funding, flexibilities, and waivers linked to the public health emergency as well as others set to expire in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.
View the Tool ([link removed])


** National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
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Biden Administration’s Budget Request Signals Start of FY23 Appropriations Season – Take Action to Secure Significant Affordable Housing Investments!
President Biden released his budget request ([link removed]) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 on March 28, signaling the official start of the FY2023 appropriations season. The budget would fund HUD programs at $71.9 billion ([link removed]) – approximately $6.2 billion more than the final FY22 level – and would provide substantial federal investments in affordable homes while also increasing the availability of housing assistance to families with the greatest needs.
Read the Full Article ([link removed])


** U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH )
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New Tool Identifies Expiring Federal Provisions That May Impact Homelessness
The current Declaration of Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 will expire April 16. This new tool identifies federal funding, flexibilities, and waivers linked to the public health emergency as well as others set to expire in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. All may impact homelessness prevention and intervention.

The status and timeline of these provisions continue to evolve. For questions, contact your USICH regional coordinator. ([link removed])

This new tool lists relevant provisions from the departments and agencies of:

* Homeland Security (DHS)
* Treasury
* Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
* Agriculture (USDA)
* Health and Human Services (HHS)
* Veterans Affairs (VA)

View the Tool ([link removed])


** Bring Impact to Your Inbox
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Receive emails with 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.
Subscribe to the ACEH Weekly Digest ([link removed])
ACEH Weekly Digest for 4/6/2022
Please reach out to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=ACEH%20Weekly%20Digest) if you have questions, suggestions, or resources you would like to share in the weekly digest.

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