Help build a community response to homelessness

Are you interested in helping to shape and guide Anchorage’s approach to homelessness? Consider joining the Anchorage Homeless Prevention and Response System Advisory Council. The group is seeking new councilors to serve in leadership, as well as general members.

Individuals with lived expertise in homelessness are encouraged to apply as well as community members who would like an active role. People who work for or otherwise support organizations that serve those who are unhoused also are encouraged to join.

The council oversees the Anchorage Continuum of Care, which is a network of resources and programs for those experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates that communities have a continuum of care in order to receive funds to serve this population, and ACEH is the lead agency for Anchorage’s CoC.

The Advisory Council manages a collaborative grant process and guides the community strategy for addressing homelessness. It is supported by committees that oversee community prioritization, compliance with policy and funding streams, data analysis and the Coordinated Entry system that results in a by-name list of those experiencing homelessness.

Councilors are voted on by the overall membership and must commit to attending the monthly meetings as well as serving on a committee. To be considered for a leadership councilor position, either fill out the on-line application or download and fill out the PDF and send it to info@HPRSadvisorycouncil.org.

If you would rather serve as a general member, please email us at communications@aceh.org.

Areas of expertise being sought are listed on the application. Those encouraged to apply include people with lived experience and those with organizations led by or serving people with disabilities, youth, survivors of sexual assault, LGBTQ+ people, and Black, Brown, Indigenous and other People of Color. Other areas sought for participation include representatives of Alaska Native or tribally led housing authorities, public housing authorities and affordable housing developers, homelessness service providers, hospitals, law enforcement, mental health, school district homelessness liaisons, victim services, and general community members.