Alaska Council on the Homeless

History

The Alaska Council on the Homeless (The Council) is a state-wide council appointed by the Governor of Alaska. It was first established on April 30, 2004 by Governor Frank H. Murkowski through Administrative Order 214. Governor Murkowski appointed a dozen members from state and federal agencies to the Council and charged them with preparing recommendations on how state resources may be directed towards ending homelessness. In his Administrative Order establishing the Council, Governor Murkowski identified the need to develop a statewide plan that would include short-term and long-term strategies to effectively address the problem of Alaska's homeless population. He said the development of the plan should serve to educate all Alaskans about the tragedy of homelessness and engage both governmental agencies and the private sector in finding solutions to this problem. The Council completed its mission in October 2005 by releasing the report "Keeping Alaskans Out of the Cold.”

On May 1, 2007 Governor Palin re-authorized the Governor's Council through Administrative Order 236. She made it a more permanent council under the auspices of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). The Alaska Council on the Homeless membership includes representation from AHFC, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska State Departments of Education, Public Safety, Corrections and Health and Social Services and six public members from the homeless provider community, rural housing authorities, local government and the real estate industry. The Council’s role continues as a public policy forum for recommendations on the use of state and federal resources to address homelessness within Alaska.

Current Activities

During 2008 and 2009, the Council is focusing on the development of a Ten Year Plan on Homelessness. For more information on this plan and its development, check AHFC’s Alaska Council on the Homeless:

Working to increase affordable housing and eliminate homelessness in our great state.