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Anchorage ramps reallocations as ERA winds down; modest Home‑ARP funds eyed for rental help
Summary
City staff said the Emergency Rental Assistance program ends in September; officials plan reallocations to spend remaining funds, amend contracts, and use about $260,000 in HOME‑ARP (referred to as HomeArc) to provide tenant‑based rental assistance, with a public hearing scheduled.
Officials told the commission the municipality is managing the end of the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program and reallocating unspent funds to avoid gaps in rental assistance.
Jadra Lay, community assistance program manager in Community Safety and Development, said ERA funding efforts must wrap in September and that one grantee could not spend down its allocation, prompting reallocations to other grantees that can use the money. She said staff are preparing a substantial amendment to reallocate HOME‑ARP funds (referred to in the meeting as HomeArc) — about $260,000 — to tenant‑based rental assistance and that the amendment is in a public comment period with a hearing scheduled.
Jadra reported ERA assistance reached 581 clients to date and staff expect to reach about 600 after reallocations. Commissioners asked whether household retention tracking is available; staff said reporting requirements are extensive and they will provide as much outcome and retention data as they can.
Staff said some contract amendments to reallocate funds will require assembly approval and they aim to get the items on the next assembly agenda. The city also plans to reallocate various funding buckets in its 2025 action plan pending HUD review.
Next steps: staff will proceed with contract amendments, the public hearing on the substantial amendment and ongoing outreach to maximize use of remaining ERA and HOME‑ARP funds.
