Housing Stabilization and Recovery

In February 2022, Alaska became one of the first states to expand its Emergency Rental Assistance efforts to address homelessness. Led by AHFC’s Planning department and in partnership with nonprofits across the state, an innovative new program was created that would get people off the streets, out of shelters and into stabilized housing.

This new program allowed Alaskans to benefit from ERA funds that would otherwise have been recaptured by the U.S. Treasury, helping individuals facing homelessness become renters.

More than two years after Housing Stabilization and Recovery launched, 988 households have become self-sufficient or have transferred to other program funds. As Housing Stabilization and Recovery reaches its sunset, here are some stories of the program's impact, as told by Alaskans.

Finding Confidence

Personal challenges and unstable housing brought Estella to the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. While sleeping at the emergency shelter she learned about Helping Alaska, one of AHFC’s Housing Stabilization and Recovery partners.

Estella met with a program navigator and in the summer of 2022 she moved into her own apartment. She said she looked forward to making her new rental a home by having her church family over to share food, make memories and play games.

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“Being out of danger and knowing that I have so many people around me, good people, including Helping Alaska and the rescue mission and my church family – I just feel really good. I’m very appreciative of these programs that are here to help me and help others and build my confidence.”

- Estella

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Helping a Nonprofit ‘Make a Huge Impact’

Jane Reed had been in her role as co-director of programming for the nonprofit Choosing Our Roots for about a year when she learned the organization had received Housing Stabilization and Recovery funds that would help change people’s lives.

“I was new and still learning about my job,” Jane said. “They asked, ‘Do you want to do this?’ I said, ‘It sounds like I’m getting money to put people into housing, so yes!’”

Since then the program has grown quickly and expanded beyond the Kenai Peninsula to the nonprofit’s other locations across the state. In little more than a year utilizing Housing Stabilization and Recovery funds, Choosing Our Roots had helped more than 50 households find housing.

“Housing Stabilization has been so helpful,” Jane said. “There are still a lot of gaps, but this has allowed us to make a huge impact.”

'Independent Housing is Everything'

In February 2022, Alaska’s Ukrainian community watched news reports in horror and began to fear for their family and friends still living in Ukraine. The community at New Chance Inc. harnessed their worry into action, determined to find a way to help.

The nonprofit quickly stood up the Ukraine Relief Program and was soon running a 24-hour service coordinating assistance for refugees arriving in Alaska, including matching refugee families with locals who could host them in their homes.

Ukraine Relief Program Director Zori Opanasevych said she was moved by this generosity, but she knew how important independent housing would be to families arriving in Alaska.

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“These families were used to having their own households and privacy. One morning they woke up and all of that was gone.” 

- Zori Opanasevych, Ukraine Relief Program Director

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When AHFC’s Planning department added the Ukraine Relief Program as a Housing Stabilization and Recovery subgrantee, many of these families were placed in safe, stable rental housing of their own, allowing them to focus on finding employment, learning a new language and acclimating to a new culture.

As Zori described it, “Independent housing is everything. It gives families back their dignity…Alaska Housing is giving these families what the war took from them – their home.”

Learn More

To learn more about the impact of Housing Stabilization and Recovery, read John’s story or  Michael’s story.

Learn more about the origins of Housing Stabilization and Recovery.

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We recognize that these stories are exceptional and some Alaskans may be in need of safe, quality, affordable housing. If you are facing homelessness or are in need of resources, we encourage you to contact Alaska 2-1-1. This free, confidential resource can help you to locate assistance in your home community. Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221 or visit alaska211.org.