Candi Spicer, a 30-foot sailboat rental she had just begun renting, was soaking in the soft rain at Douglas Harbor. She was raised on boats in California, and she is used to being on water.
She said, “I think it is a little rustic.” It’s a beautiful thing, though. It’s nostalgic, I think.
She plans to cover the walls with silver insulation. The room has a bed, a small kitchen and a bathroom with a tub. The stove can also double as a heater. It’s relaxing to fall asleep to the sound of the water in the harbor.
Spicer is the latest recipient a Alaska-specific grant which helps homeless people maintain one year of housing. This could be alternative housing like this boat. The program has helped more than 1,800 people in the state to move from insecurity into stable homes.
Although the quarters are tight on the boat, Spicer said it was a significant improvement over the previous two years. After some relationships problems, Spicer was homeless when she arrived in Juneau.
She said, “I was walking down the street carrying a backpack and not knowing where it would lead me.”
Because she was so new to town, she didn’t have any friends or family. So she ended up in shelter.
“The Glory Hall and the warming center are supposed to serve as stepping stones. Spicer stated that they are not meant to be life choices. So two years ago, I was just walking down the street. Now it’s like I have a job. I own a car. I own a house.
The solution that works for you, but with some limitations
This grant’s flexibility is unmatched. Federal housing money cannot be used to rent nontraditional housing such as boats, hotel rooms, or rooms in a house. These requirements are not met by the program. It was designed by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, which is the state’s housing authority.
Luke Vroman is responsible for the grant program that Juneau’s homeless shelter receives. Glory Hall has put 175 people into the program and the shelter is now less overcrowded.
He said, “We’re already full.” “So, you’re aware, there are 175 homeless people in the town this year.”
However, they may not have enough time to find long-term solutions in a single year.
Although this grant is effective in getting people out of unsafe or vulnerable living situations, it’s difficult to keep them on track for permanent housing.
A Section 8 voucher, which is federal rent assistance, is the most common route to stability and long-term homelessness. Vroman says that the wait times have increased over the past year.
“The waitlist has increased from 12 to 19 months to something like 19 to 24 since the program began. He stated that no name has been added to the list.
Vroman claims that even if 175 participants in the program received Section 8 vouchers, there isn’t enough affordable housing. To solve the problem, Vroman estimates Juneau will need 300 more affordable housing units.
Problems that keep getting worse
Bryan Butcher, executive director of the Housing Finance Corporation, stated that “it’s a national issue.” He stated that there was a shortage of housing in rural areas 30-40 years ago. However, the problem wasn’t so severe in larger cities.
“That has changed. It is now available in all 50 states, and it’s also in the regional hubs. He said that it was in the cities. “And because the affordability crunch in larger areas has become worse, it tells us that it’s likely and certain that it’s gotten worse out there in rural areas.”
Butcher stated that the federal funds have been well used. Because of the stability of housing, people are already moving out of the program to their own apartments. This is because they were able to find work and daycare while they navigate homelessness.
He claims that the housing authority did not anticipate the number of communities participating or the number people signing up.
He said, “The positive is that we can help a lot people.” “The downside is that there are many people in more dire situations than those who needed it.”
Candi Spicer is a good example of a successful program participant. The grant covers her rent for one year. However, she is saving money to purchase the boat.
