New Rent Relief Application Period Open

September 13, 2021 at 7:59am in Community, Headlines, COVID-19, Renting

AHFC Invites Alaskans to Apply for New Rent Relief from Sept. 13 - Oct. 1, 2021

Since the early stages of the pandemic, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has been fully committed to providing critical resources to Alaska tenants and landlords impacted by COVID-19. The goal of our team along with our many trusted statewide partners, has been to keep Alaskans in their homes and alleviate stress and fear of eviction. We continue to work collaboratively toward common goals of safety, security and wellbeing for Alaska residents and tenants who may be experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic.

AHFC is accepting applications beginning Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2021, and closing Oct. 1, 2021, providing up to three months of rent relief to eligible applicants who meet the federal requirements. AHFC is dedicated to providing an accessible process to quickly assist people in our statewide communities who may be dealing with anxieties associated with job loss as a result of the pandemic.

Alaska Housing Rent Relief is streamlined and efficient, providing help where it is most needed. Alaskans in need of rental assistance should check their eligibility and apply at www.AlaskaHousingRelief.org to begin the process. Applicants will receive regular information about the program via email and text message.

Alaska Housing Rent Relief is open to all Alaska renters who may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 and everyone who is in need assistance is encouraged to apply; this includes residents who may not have experienced similar circumstances in the past and who are struggling to make ends meet.

There are specific eligibility requirements that must be met. AHFC’s online eligibility checker is the first step to verify qualifications and can be found at AlaskaHousingRelief.org. Please encourage those around you to apply and share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors.

To date, AHFC has distributed more than $117 million in federal rent relief funds to landlords and utility companies to the benefit of more than 50,000 Alaska residents. Our trusted relationships cultivated throughout many years have been critical to the success of Alaska Housing Rent Relief and include regional housing authorities representing 148 Alaska Native tribes, nonprofit processing partners Catholic Social Services, Love in Action, Helping Alaska, Valley Charities, and Brother Francis Shelter Kodiak, along with the Municipality of Anchorage.

AHFC relies on our communities, including nonprofit partners serving vulnerable Alaskans, to help spread the word about available rent and utility relief to ensure that every person who is eligible gets this federal assistance.

Application Window FAQs

What does Alaska Housing Rent Relief cover?

Who should check their eligibility and apply?

  • Alaskans who are struggling to pay rent and/or utilities
  • Alaskans who are living in an overcrowded or unsafe situation, such as risk of domestic violence or sexual abuse
  • Alaskans who are or have been unemployed, or who are otherwise struggling to keep up financially
  • Alaskans who are at risk of eviction

Renters must apply for Alaska Housing Rent Relief; however, funding is provided directly to landlords and utility companies. Alaskans in need of rental assistance should check their eligibility and apply from Monday, Sept. 13 -  Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Information is regularly updated and available at AlaskaHousingRelief.org.

Who does Alaska Housing Rent Relief cover?

  • AHFC’s online eligibility checker at AlaskaHousingRelief.org is the first step to verify applicant qualifications
  • Everyone who meets eligibility requirements will be invited by email to apply for rent and utility relief at AlaskaHousingRelief.org

What are the minimum federal requirements?

  • Household income cannot exceed limits identified by U.S. Treasury
  • At least one person per household must be directly or indirectly financially impacted by COVID-19
  • Demonstrated risk of housing instability or homelessness

Are current Alaska Housing Rent Relief applicants eligible?

  • Households currently receiving Alaska Housing Rent Relief funds are not eligible for overlapping assistance
  • Applicants who were withdrawn, deemed ineligible or are no longer receiving assistance through Alaska Housing Rent Relief may apply for additional relief

When can Alaskans apply?

  • Alaskans can check their eligibility and apply for up to three months of assistance between Sept. 13 - Oct. 1, 2021
  • Alaskans in need of rental assistance should sign up for information at AlaskaHousingRelief.org

Where can Alaskans apply?

  • Visit AlaskaHousingRelief.org to apply and to receive the most up-to-date information
  • Applying is easy and confidential
  • Accessible via mobile phone or desktop 

How does the application process work?

  • Applicants must have a valid email address,  phone number, and/or mobile phone number
  • A streamlined, upfront automated screening process quickly advances the first segment of the application
  • A robust behind-the-scenes system includes text and email notifications to keep eligible applicants informed of important dates, reminders and information
  • Renters below the income limit are set for priority processing
  • Required documentation will include valid identification/income/lease/landlord’s contact information and/or utility company information
  • Payments are made directly to landlords and utility companies
  • Applicants who provide valid identification and prove financial hardship will be able to access a tenant letter, which can be presented to landlords or in court, designed specifically to help to divert evictions

An Alaska Success Story

A recent Wall Street Journal report showed that Alaska, via Alaska Housing Rent Relief, is leading the country in distributing funds directly to landlords and utility companies. AHFC is well-positioned to address issues raised by the recent Supreme Court eviction moratorium ruling.

To date, AHFC has distributed more than $117 million in federal funds to Alaska landlords and utility companies. More than 50,000 tenants, representing more than 19,000 Alaska households who have experienced hardship due to the pandemic, have been provided rent relief as of Sept. 3, 2021.

Virtually everyone in Alaska who applied for relief and has provided the requested documentation for eligibility has had their past due rent and utilities paid. AHFC’s Rent Relief partners encompass a team of more than 130 dedicated workers from across the state working to ensure qualified, eligible applicants receive aid.

Overall Alaska Housing Rent Relief Statistics (Sept. 3, 2021):

  • Alaska renters were among the first to be approved for assistance
  • Total applications received during the inaugural open Rent Relief window represent 78,000 Alaskans
  • Applicants represent one-third of Alaska renters
  • 80 percent of renters are below the income limit
  • Average household assistance totaled $5,544

Alaskans in need of rental assistance should sign up to receive information at AlaskaHousingRelief.org. All applicants will be notified of the application opening, Monday, Sept. 13 and closing on Oct. 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

Alaska is one of the few states to launch a weekly online program update with up-to-date program progress including the number of applications received and the total funds distributed. The dashboard and pandemic-related housing resources are published at AlaskaHousingRelief.org.

For the most current information, visit AlaskaHousingRelief.org or ahfc.us.