Building a Stronger Safety Net

In August, Providence Alaska hosted a ribbon cutting for Q’et’en Qenq’a (pronounced cut-un kunk-ah), a newly developed senior housing facility co-sponsored by Cook Inlet Housing Authority. Q’et’en Qenq’a means “Elders House” in the Dena’ina language and will provide support to those aged 55 and older who are experiencing homelessness or recovering from medical treatment.

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation joined community members and industry partners including Alaska Mental Health Trust, Rasmuson Foundation, Weidner Apartment Homes, Premera Health Foundation and others to celebrate the ribbon cutting.

“This project competed in the 2022 GOAL round and includes 51 studio apartments. Forty-five are permanent supportive housing units set aside for seniors; the remaining six are recovery/temporary rooms for elders traveling to Anchorage for medical treatment,” said Andy Petroni, manager of housing development in the Planning department at AHFC.

AHFC’s contributions to the project include $977,029 from the National Housing Trust Fund, $369,971 from the Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund and 45 Sponsor-Based Rental Assistance vouchers.

“Q’et’en Qenq’a will provide peer support, medical and behavioral health services, access to socialization activities and linkage to educational, employment, legal, nutritional and other opportunities for our people,” said Ivan Encelewski, executive director at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, a partner in the project.

“Onsite wraparound services will be provided by Southcentral Foundation… to include individualized case management, connection with mental and physical health services, assistance in assessing benefits and community supports and much, much more. Because at Providence Alaska, we know and our community partners know that housing is often the first medicine,” said Ella Goss, region chief executive at Providence Alaska.

Read more about Q'et'en Qenq'a.