The National Center for State Courts selected the Alaska Court System to be in its first cohort of the Eviction Diversion Initiative. Its funding helped launch our state’s eviction diversion efforts. Will Walker works as the program’s Access to Justice Staff Attorney. He reached out to our housing team for help in preventing Alaskans from being evicted.
Since the program’s start in March 2023, Will tracks about 120 eviction-related cases in Anchorage each month. He provides parties with legal information and resources and coordinates their mediations. When agreements are reached and tenants can pay their ongoing rent, Will contacts us. We can pay past-due rent.
Our whole community benefits from this arrangement. Will explains it by saying, “United Way provides real dollars for people with real needs.” Our collaboration with the Court has resulted in 211 households remaining housed. That number demonstrates just a portion of the Court, landlords, other organizations’ and our work.
Altogether, we’ve kept 605 Alaskans housed. One household includes several dogs too. Tara—its tenant and a recipient of our assistance—has allowed us to share her story.
“I had gotten behind on the rent during the pandemic, and I was between jobs,” she says. Tara had called her apartment “home” for 12 years. “If your program had not stepped in, I’m not sure where me and my three dogs would be today.”
Because Tara remained in her home, she rescued a husky. Now, her family includes Holly, Pebbles and Simba. “Your program saved me and my dogs,” says Tara.
When Alaskans like Will and Tara talk about their experiences, they make a big difference. They inspire us to change how we address issues related to housing and counter misconceptions about people who experience housing instability.
Our housing team works alongside many people and partners to strengthen housing stability in our community. We’re grateful for all they do to keep people housed.
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