MyHouse to be Awarded $690,808

MAT-SU, Alaska, Nov. 19, 2020 – A federally-funded grant will help MyHouse to address the increased needs and challenges of taking care of the Mat-Su’s homeless youth during the COVID-19 crisis. Mat-Su’s homeless and at-risk homeless youth will be better served by MyHouse thanks to the nonprofits’ grant application and successful award of nearly $700,000 of $5 million awarded statewide from Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation.

“The idea that kids are alone on the streets while winter sets in and temperatures drop is heartbreaking,” said AHFC CEO/Executive Director Bryan Butcher. “It is critical for AHFC to be able to support nonprofits that provide essential housing services to keep at-risk Alaskans safe and warm, and as a way to mitigate COVID-19 spread in the community.”

MyHouse has remained open through the entire pandemic to provide housing, food and case management. It is believed that unsheltered youth are at higher risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. The grant from AHFC will allow MyHouse to increase its street outreach that includes food, sanitation, first aid and hygiene items to youth on the street and transportation to connect them to services. The grant also supports
their efforts to expand to Saturday drop-in service to comply with social distancing requirements for youth guests and staff.

“The Mat-Su Alliance to End Youth Homelessness Coordinated Community Plan identified 1,205 homeless youth (in the area) and found that the leading barrier for housing homeless and at-risk youth is the ‘lack of emergency/crisis shelter’,” said Michelle Overstreet, MyHouse’s executive director. “COVID-19 amplified this gap in services, making the need for increased outreach essential.”

The work of MyHouse during the COVID-19 pandemic includes support from community partners including Mat-Su Health Services, Public Health, City of Wasilla and Police Department, local and state health officials, the food bank, True North Recovery, faith-based organizations and other local homeless services agencies.

To qualify for the grant, MyHouse had to provide AHFC with certifications of compliance, budget worksheets, a detailed explanation for how the funds will be used and proof of need.

Fact Sheet:

• AHFC’s use of HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant-CV

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is a public corporation providing Alaskans access to safe, quality and affordable housing through residential financing, energy efficiency, public housing and more. Since 1986, Alaska Housing has contributed more than $2.1 billion to the State of Alaska.

###

Contact: Kalinda Kindle
Communications Specialist, governmental relations and public affairs
(907) 330-8457
kkindle@ahfc.us