At a special meeting of the Assembly Committee on Housing & Homelessness this afternoon, Assembly Members commented on remarks made by Commissioner Jim Crawford on mental health, homelessness and Alaska Native communities at the Housing, Homelessness and Neighborhood Development (HHAND) Commission on March 1, 2023.
“Before we get started, I need to speak to an issue brought to my attention yesterday that I cannot ignore,” said Assembly Member Felix Rivera, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing & Homelessness, as the meeting began. “This statement has no place in our discourse around homelessness. For my part, I am sick and tired of how the Alaska Native community is treated as a punching bag on this topic. I demand that the Administration look into this issue and that the commissioner that made this statement is asked to resign from their seat on the Commission.”
“I am appalled,” said Assembly Vice Chair Christopher Constant. “Racism has no place in government, especially racism towards Indigenous communities, who have stewarded these lands for time immemorial.”
“Besides,” Vice Chair Constant continued, “the Mayor himself recently said, 'Regardless of how someone becomes homeless, each person must have a place to go at every moment of every day. Everyone needs a place.’ If he truly believes what he published in Must Read Alaska, he should call for the removal of Commissioner Crawford and appoint a thoroughly-vetted candidate who aligns with the values the city holds towards the issue.”
About the HHAND Commission
The HHAND Commission advises the Mayor and the Assembly on issues related to long and short-term housing, homeless and community development needs in the Municipality and strategies to effect revitalization of lower-income and at risk neighborhoods.
The HHAND Commission is unique among MOA Boards & Commissions as it is tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on the proposed allocation of all federal, state and municipal revenues targeted for housing and community development programs managed by the Municipality, including funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The work of the commission also intersects with the Fair Housing Act.
A recording of the March 1 meeting is available online: ancgov.info/HHAND-03012
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