Anchorage

Anchorage announces millions in relief for renters and tourism businesses hit by pandemic

We're making this important information available without a subscription as a public service. But we depend on reader support to do this work. Please consider supporting independent journalism in Alaska, at just $1.99 for the first month of your subscription.

Anchorage is rolling out more relief money for people and businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

Last week, the Anchorage Assembly authorized Acting Mayor Austin-Quinn Davidson to accept more than $35 million in federal money for emergency rental assistance and utility relief.

On Monday, the city also announced a $7 million relief grant program for businesses in the tourism industry.

Rental Relief

The $35-plus million in rental relief comes from the federal coronavirus aid bill passed in December. It is arriving just as funds for the municipality’s current rental and mortgage assistance program are running dry, according to the city.

[Earlier coverage: December’s federal coronavirus aid bill set aside $200 million for Alaska renters, but applications aren’t ready yet]

Over the summer, the city allocated $20 million in aid from its CARES Act funds, launching its rental and mortgage assistance program. That program was exhausted by the end of December, and the Assembly in December allocated another $6.4 million to bridge the gap until the new round of federal money came through.

ADVERTISEMENT

The requirements for the new funds will be slightly different — the federal relief funds now include money to help pay utility bills, but do not include money for mortgage assistance.

The city has temporarily paused applications for its rental assistance program in order to prepare for the new funding, which comes with more eligibility and reporting requirements, according to its announcement.

Chris Schutte, Anchorage’s economic and community development director, said at a press conference last week that the money will be disbursed to individuals throughout the community over the coming year.

The municipality’s previous rent and mortgage program served more than 7,000 families, distributing a total of $26.4 million, the city said. It has been run in partnership between the city, United Way of Anchorage and Lutheran Social Services of Anchorage.

Tourism grants

The city will start accepting applications on Feb. 3 for its tourism grant program, which will give money to businesses and organizations that depend primarily on tourism and have lost money due to plummeting tourist numbers during the pandemic.

Like other industry relief programs the municipality has run, the grants will be provided in three tiers — $10,000, $25,000, or $50,000, depending on the size of the business, measured by its 2019 income.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 17. A panel including representatives of the city, Visit Anchorage and “community and philanthropy advisors” will review applications, according to the city’s announcement. Visit Anchorage will disburse the funds.

There are several eligibility requirements for applicants, including:

• 70% or more of its annual gross receipts must be from visitors traveling to Anchorage.

• The business must have lost more than 60% of its income in 2020 compared to 2019, due to the pandemic reducing visitation to Anchorage, deterring tourists and customers or causing the cancellation of meetings and conventions, for example.

• If a business already received grants from the city’s hospitality grant program in tiers A, B or C, then it is not eligible. There is one exception: If a hotel with a Beverage Dispensary – Tourism license received a Tier C grant, it may be eligible.

• If the business received other grants or funding it could still be eligible for the tourism grant, but any aid already received in 2020 or loans that are eligible for forgiveness must be included when calculating 2020 revenue.

Emily Goodykoontz

Emily Goodykoontz is a reporter covering Anchorage local government and general assignments. She previously covered breaking news at The Oregonian in Portland before joining ADN in 2020. Contact her at egoodykoontz@adn.com.

ADVERTISEMENT