Latinos Could Receive Housing Assistance
In March, Suzanne LaFrance announced that she will use $5 million in housing assistance for the homeless or people at risk of being homeless. Assembly member Félix Rivera is confident that it could help some Latino families to have stable housing and independence.Félix Rivera was a liaison for the Assembly’s now defunct Equity Committee. When asked if the five million dollars will be distributed equitably, he replies that “the [Suzanne LaFrance] Administration will present a proposal to the Assembly and ask for its approval. The Assembly will review the proposal, make amendments, and vote. I am confident that Latino homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, households, families and individuals will have access to resources and can have stable housing and a path to independence.”
Rivera cannot answer questions about the distribution criteria, which organizations will distribute the aid, how much money the public-private partnership that LaFrance has spoken about would involve, or which companies would participate. “These are questions for the Administration. Eventually, a proposal will come to the Assembly and these organizations will be made public. Each organization will publicize its services so that people can apply.” As for how the organizations will distribute their assistance, “historically, the Assembly’s Housing and Homelessness Committee has been the place to ask questions about specific contracts. Otherwise, it will be the Administration’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the contract,” he adds. LaFrance says that around 150 households will receive aid. How many will be Latino? “It is projected that 6.7% of the homeless population is Latino,” says Felix, “so I hope that at least ten Latino households and families will receive assistance.” The five million dollars distributed among 150 households represents a little over $33,000 per household over one year: a little over $90 per day per household. “Additional funding would mean cutting services. We need our state, federal, private and philanthropic partners to add investment,” adds Félix Rivera.” The private sector is expected to build additional housing, but bureaucracy will have to be cut and investment attracted by offering tax incentives.” For those who fear that this initiative will have a “pull effect” on vulnerable people from outside Anchorage, Félix Rivera says that the city “is already a center for the state. We have been for years. That reality will not change. What needs to change is how the state treats Anchorage. It is not a problem of homelessness in the city; it is a problem of homelessness throughout the state.” |