Contributed by Stacy Barnes, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Approximately 2,500 applications were submitted from the Mat-Su Valley for consideration for financial assistance with their rent and utilities as a result of hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has been charged with administering the federally funded program on behalf of the State of Alaska, but has key partners working behind the scenes, including Valley Charities.
AHFC received 30,047 applications from across the state before its March 5, 2021 deadline. AHFC has been working steadily to verify identities, review required documentation, and issue payment to landlords and utility companies on behalf of the applicant. Valley Charities is among the agencies that has been tapped to reach out to applicants to confirm AHFC has the most current and accurate information related to income, rent and utilities.
“Valley Charities has consistently done good work to prevent homelessness in the Mat-Su Valley and they are a credible partner in our work to get payments to Alaskans under financial distress because of the pandemic,” said Bryan Butcher, CEO/executive director of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.
In an effort to prevent fraud and to successfully connect with applicants, each was assigned a unique confirmation code. Before the applicants are called by a Valley Charities Rent Relief Specialist, an email and text message will alert them to an imminent incoming call, and the name of the individual who will be responsible for the applicant’s information.
Information about the program is available at AlaskaHousingRelief.org or by toll-free telephone at 1-833-440-0420.
About Alaska Housing Finance Corporation:
For 50 years, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has provided Alaskans access to safe, quality and affordable housing through home financing, energy efficiency programs, public housing and more. Since 1986, Alaska Housing has contributed more than $2 billion to the State of Alaska's General Fund.
Contact:
Stacy Barnes
Director, Governmental Relations and Public Affairs
(907) 330-8445/301-4556
sbarnes@ahfc.us