Finding opportunity in the challenge of unsheltered Anchorage homelessness

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Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH)


** WEEKLY DIGEST
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** Finding opportunity in the challenge of unsheltered Anchorage homelessness
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Camp abatements place individuals experiencing homelessness into a constant cycle of having to start from scratch, many move their encampments once their site is noticed simply to avoid the risk and the uncertainty of being abated, in which case they can often lose all of their belongings. This results in the loss of contact with outreach, case managers, and others who can support them on their journey to housing.

What if, instead of the city’s current approach, we turned these into housing opportunities?

Both Dallas and Houston have had success with identifying encampments and then, instead of noticing a day by which the encampment will be cleared, turn the encampment into a place for intensive housing services and not abate the camp until each person who engages is housed, acknowledging there may be individuals who do not wish to seek housing. [See the New York Times article highlighting Houston: [link removed] ]

Read this article ([link removed]) on turning the challenges of unsheltered homelessness into an opportunity, submitted by Meg Zaletel, Executive Director of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Nathan Johnson, Board President of Coalition to End Homelessness, and Jessica Parks, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Anchorage Continuum of Care.
View Article ([link removed])


** Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness Updates
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The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) works with allies in the community to design, create, and lead the implementation of the Anchorage community plan on homelessness. More about ACEH ([link removed])


** How often do you want to hear from us? - Today is the last day to vote, June 29, 2022!
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We are considering moving this e-news to a Monthly Digest in order to provide you with the most relevant updates and information possible.

If you haven't already, please let us know your thoughts by taking our quick 2-minute survey.
Take the Survey ([link removed])


** June 29th Homeless Prevention & Response System Capacity Map
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Please find the most recent Capacity Map below, updated today, June 29, 2022.


View the document: HPRS Systems Map – 20220629 Update ([link removed]) (Updated sections in Bold.)


The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has released this systems map of the current state of mass care and the Homeless Prevention and Response System (HPRS). ACEH is working with providers to bring together the most accurate information possible

This document is also available on the ACEH website: [link removed] ([link removed])


Contact: Sasha Zimmerman, 907-841-0644
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Download Capacity Report ([link removed])


** Apply for the HPRS Advisory Council by Friday, July 8th, 2022
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Deadline has been extended to 07/08/2022

ACEH continues to seek out ways to partner more deeply with the Anchorage community to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time.

We are looking for individuals who can share their experience and talent in any of the following areas:
* Lived homelessness experience
* Housing entities or landlords
* Homeless service organizations
* Victim services
* State and local governments
* Educational organizations
* Healthcare organizations
* Law enforcement

You are invited to apply to become a General Member or to sit on the HPRS Advisory Council. We encourage you to submit your application by Friday, July 8th, 2022 for consideration.
* To apply to sit on the HPRS Advisory Council, click here ([link removed])

*Please note you must be an active member in order to sit on the HPRS Advisory Council. We welcome you to submit your Membership application at the same time.
* To become a General Member*, click here ([link removed])
* Individual Membership: $50/annually
* Organizational Membership: $100-$200/annually

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out directly to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for more information.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to serving our neighbors.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:

HPRS Advisory Council Application – 2022-2023 ([link removed])

HPRS Advisory Council Annual Documents ([link removed])

For questions please contact, Inmaly: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=HPRS%20Advisory%20Council%20Applicaiton)
Learn More ([link removed])
[link removed]
Recording of June 23, 2022, All Continuum of Care & Stakeholder meeting is available on the ACEH YouTube channel ([link removed]) .

The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) and the Advisory Council convened an all Continuum of Care (CoC) meeting of the Homeless Prevention Response System (HPRS) in the last week before the closure of the Sullivan Arena. Both acknowledged the challenges of COVID and the new challenges with the closure of the mass care operations. Further, they remarked that the HPRS is stretched yet continues to show up and help those experiencing homelessness again and again. They asked that others join them in saying “THANK YOU!”


View Full Press Release ([link removed])


** ACEH Featured in National Low Income Housing Coalition's "Our Homes, Our Votes" Newsletter
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Anchorage Coalition Helps Educate People Experiencing Homelessness about Alaska’s New Ranked Choice Voting System

The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH), an NLIHC member organization, is providing training for local service providers to educate houseless individuals about the state’s new ranked choice voting (RCV) system, open primaries, and their rights. As election season commences in Alaska, voting rights advocates know it is an important moment to educate voters about these changes so they can feel confident at the polls. With the passing of Representative Don Young ([link removed]) in March 2022, Alaska’s one seat in Congress is now vacant.
The election determining his successor will be the first in which Alaska uses open primaries and the new RCV system.
...
“Our goal is to aid and empower those with lived homelessness experience to use their voice and vote for systems change,” says Owen Hutchinson, director of external relations for the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness. “Training our local service providers that they may educate their clients on Ranked Choice Voting is one practical way to bring equity to the polls.”
View Full Feature ([link removed])


** Help individuals experiencing homelessness by donating much needed items!
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Many of our Anchorage neighbors are facing this unusually hot and dry summer without proper shelter or basic necessities.
HOT WEATHER SURVIVAL KITS:
* Reusable water bottles
* Sunscreen
* Hats
* Bug spray

Download Flier to Share ([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 Public Media
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Covenant House opens long-term housing, job training facilities for homeless youth

Covenant House Alaska has provided shelter services to homeless youth in Anchorage for more than 30 years. Now, they’re opening two new buildings to provide job training and longer-term housing.

After a year of construction, Friday marked the opening of Covey Lofts and Covey Academy. The two buildings sit on either side of the Covenant House downtown.
View Full Article ([link removed])


** Alaska Homeless Management Information System (AKHMIS)
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AKHMIS Training Changes
The AKHMIS Strategic Assessment ([link removed]) published in 2019 tasked ICA with expanding AKHMIS training to be primarily administered through a self-paced e-learning platform. The ICA Alaska Training Team developed a plan to roll out the e-learning platform in four separate phases:
* Phase 1: AKHMIS Foundational Courses
* Phase 2: AKHMIS Standard Data Entry Courses
* Phase 3: AKHMIS Program Specific Data Entry Courses - Part 1
* Phase 4: AKHMIS Program Specific Data Entry Courses - Part 2

Phase 1 has been developed and we are ready for users to begin using the Phase 1 Foundational Courses through the e-learning platform.
Learn More ([link removed])


** Good Neighbor Group
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Shoutout to the Good Neighbor Group!

This wonderful team picked up 6 big bags of trash around the GuestHouse and surrounding businesses. It takes a community, thank you for the work you do!
Follow on Facebook ([link removed])


** Municipality of Anchorage (MOA)
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June 27, 2022 - Demobilization SITREP Update
You can find MOA updates on their website: [link removed] ([link removed])
View MOA Update ([link removed])


** National Updates
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** Federal Register
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Funding Opportunity Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for supportive services grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the SSVF Program, the grant application processes and the amount of funding available. Awards made for supportive services grants will fund operations beginning August 19, 2022, for a non-renewable period ending September 30, 2026.
View Document ([link removed])


** Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
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CoC Program Supplemental NOFO to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness

HUD announced the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness ([link removed]) , which makes $322 million in competitive funding available to communities to address unsheltered and rural homelessness. Applications must be submitted no later than October 20, 2022, at 8:00 PM EDT.

To apply, CoCs will need to demonstrate a comprehensive community approach to reduce homelessness among people experiencing homelessness with severe service needs, especially those with histories of unsheltered homelessness. Funding is available for permanent housing, street outreach efforts and other supportive services, and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).
Visit the HUD Exchange e-snaps page ([link removed]) for helpful resources regarding accessing, navigating, and submitting applications in e-snaps, including the e-snaps 101 Toolkit ([link removed]) and the e-snaps 201 Toolkit ([link removed]) . Please note, there are no project application resources available for this NOFO.

For more information, read the full Press Release ([link removed])
View the CoC Program Supplemental NOFO ([link removed])


** National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
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NLIHC Statement on Dobbs Ruling - Housing Justice and Reproductive Justice Are Inextricably Linked

The harmful impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision will fall most heavily on people with low incomes, and on Black and other people of color. Women living in poverty account for nearly half of unintended pregnancies, due to unequal access to reproductive health care. People experiencing homelessness – disproportionately Black and Indigenous people – are more likely to experience sexual violence that can result in pregnancy. Unintended pregnancies can worsen housing insecurity, deepen poverty, and increase homelessness – with all their associated costs for individuals and society. This decision cannot and must not stand. Congress, governors, and state legislatures must act quickly to protect people’s access to vital reproductive care, including abortion care.
ACEH Weekly Digest for 6/29/2022
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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Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness
PO Box 243041
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