“Houseless” recently opened at the Anchorage Museum. At Houseless, attendees learn shocking statistics: nine in 10 extremely low-income people spend more than 30% of their income on rent; there are only 35 affordable and available units for every 100 extremely low-income people. Attendees read signs bought from people who are houseless: “Out of work n home, not hope. God bless.” “This is awkward for me too.” And attendees learn about solutions to our housing crisis.
A piece of that solution I urge our Alaska delegation — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Rep. Young — to consider is a “renters’ tax credit” for low- and moderate-income renters. Since 1960, average rents have increased 61% while renter incomes have only risen 5% (adjusted for inflation). Through this refundable tax credit, households would receive funds for rental costs above 30% of their household income up to the local fair market rent. Researchers estimate that some recent renters’ credit proposals would benefit more than 25 million families across the country. It would certainly make a difference for many of our neighbors who are houseless today.
Houselessness isn’t inevitable — but it will be if we do not act.
— Sara Buckingham
Eagle River
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