Discharge Incentive Grant (DIG)

The Discharge Incentive Grant (DIG) is a partnership between the Alaska Mental Health Trust (AMHTA), The State of Alaska Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), The State of Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC), and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation(AHFC). This grant primarily funds the housing component of release planning from incarceration for Trust beneficiaries experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and other cognitive and co-occurring disorders. The DIG has proven valuable every year to the DOC and the community by providing direct support for housing/rent to recently released beneficiaries with SPMI who would have otherwise been homeless due to no income or other housing options.

Grant Funding Availability

Notice of SFY2025 Discharge Incentive Grant funding Availability

The Discharge Incentive Grant program (DIG) provides immediate housing assistance for Trust Beneficiaries exiting Department of Corrections (DOC) settings who require extended supervision and support services to avoid repeat incarceration. The supportive services shall be provided in collaboration with DOC and local behavioral health provider agencies.

NOFA Publication    November 25, 2024
Application Due       April 1, 2025

AVAILABLE FUNDING

Total available $200,000.00
Minimum request - $50,000.00 each community
Three or more communities awarded.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

Current DIG or Reentry Housing (REH) recipients, DOC/Behavioral Health awardees, and Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA) awardees operating similar programs.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

  • Coordination with the Alaska Department of Corrections Behavioral Health and Reentry Services
  • Rental Assistance (emergency, transitional, permanent placement)
  • Transportation
  • Assistance in applying for state and federal assistance including Medicaid
  • Rental housing placement
  • Landlord relationships
  • Assistance with basic needs

REQUIRED APPLICATION FORMAT

Each DIG application submitted to AHFC for consideration must, at a minimum, include the following attachments:

  1. Completed DIG application; 
  2. Application budget;
  3. Completed budget narrative;
  4. Program narrative addressing four topics and not exceeding the available page limit; 
  5. Confirmation of membership in applicable Reentry Coalition(s); 
  6. Confirmation of nonprofit or other eligible status; and 
  7. Confirmation of DIG, REH, DOC, or AMHTA award. 

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT

Application materials will only be accepted by electronic submittal via email to Jennifer Smerud, jsmerud@ahfc.us. Hand-delivered, mailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted. Outlook limits email attachments to no larger than 20MB. Applications must be fully submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., Alaska Standard Time, on April 1, 2025.

Contact
Jennifer Smerud
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
P.O. Box 101020
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
907-330-8276
1-800-478-2432
jsmerud@ahfc.us