Yes, everyone applies through the same process and program no matter where they live in Alaska.

Yes. Alaska Housing Rent Relief provides up to 12 months of future rent relief to eligible applicants.

Yes. Alaska Housing Rent Relief can be used to help you catch up on unpaid utility bills. 

Yes. You must demonstrate negative economic or financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the coronavirus outbreak.

You can still apply for assistance with your rent and/or utility bills. There is no requirement for a specific length of residency in your current rental property.

Yes. The maximum allowable household income level varies based on your borough or census area.

Funds will be available to renters statewide with household incomes of no more than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) using data from federal entities such as the IRS. To qualify for Alaska Housing Rent Relief:

• Your 2020 annual income for all members of your household — including all wages, tips, etc.— must have been at or below the 80% community Area Median Income (AMI); OR

• Your 2021 monthly income for all members of your household — including all wages, tips, etc. — must currently be at or below the 80% community Area Median Income (AMI). 

A more comprehensive relief program exists for these families, called Safety Net. Alaska Housing Rent Relief may assist AHFC families whose needs are not fully met by Safety Net. If this describes your situation, we encourage you to apply.

Yes. During the application process you will be advised on the specifics of how any other programs may impact your eligibility for rent and/or utility relief. 

Yes, as long as you fit the other criteria requirements and the agreement you have with your Landlord is a rental agreement or lease and not a mortgage.

Yes. Lot space rent for mobile or manufactured homes is eligible for Alaska Housing Rent Relief.

The current program only assists renters, but there may be changes or additional programs in the future. You can sign up for email notification here. Additional resources for homeowners can be found here. 

Please check your spam and junk mail folders for the verification email. Please also double check your email address and phone number to make sure that there are no accidental typos in your entry.

All applications received prior to the March 5 deadline will be processed in batches with a prioritization given to people who:

1. Earn under 50% area median income, and
2. Who are unemployed at the time of application, and have been for at least 90 days.

Within each batch, applications will be processed following a randomized numbering system.

Yes, if you need assistance completing your application or providing supplemental documentation, a friend or family member can assist you. If you don't have someone who can help you, please call us toll-free for assistance at 1-833-440-0420.

For non-English speakers whose browsers are not already automatically offering to translate the Alaska Housing Rent Relief website for them, we recommend that they use the Google Translate functionality. By entering the URL and selecting the language, it will automatically translate a webpage into virtually any language. For example, here is the website in Spanish.

Click here to see the application process, including screenshots of the online forms you will need to complete, and descriptions of each step along the way. 

No. However, all amounts will be reviewed by a relief specialist and compared to data obtained from landlords and utility companies.

After you have submitted your application and are working with a relief specialist, they will guide you through the process of requesting documentation through our system. Through this process, your landlord can upload any additional information we need directly to your application. 

Once submitted, we will review your application to make sure it is complete. If you'd like to confirm that you've submitted all required information, visit the check status page. If everything is "in review" then you're all set for now. If we still need something, you'll find links to submit.

Completed applications will then go into the verification process. At that time we will ask you for additional details and connect you with a relief specialist who will finalize your assistance.

Once you've applied, you can check the status of your application here.

If you could not participate in Alaska Housing Rent Relief because there were barriers which prevented you from applying or because you were determined to be ineligible when checking your eligibility, submitting your application, or working with a service provider during verification, you may protest that decision to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation by completing this form.

No. Payments will be directed to landlords, property managers, and utility providers. 

Yes, you will receive an email notification when payments are made and can check online with your confirmation code.

No. Funds can only be used for rent and utility relief. 

Yes. Funds will be used to first pay unpaid rent and utility bills. However, funds cannot be applied to past rent or utility bills that pre-date March 13, 2020.

The program allows for up to 12 months of financial assistance, with the possibility of extended assistance for an additional three months. All past-due rent and utilities back to March 13, 2020 will be paid first with remaining funds available for prospective (future) assistance. Funding will be available at least through September 30, 2021.

Eligible utilities that are usually provided by municipal utility companies include:

• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Trash removal
• Water/sewer

Other home-energy and home-heating costs that are not provided by municipal utility companies are also eligible, and include:

• Home-heating fuel or oil
• Propane
• Firewood
• Woodstove pellets

Telephone, cable, and internet are not considered utilities and are not eligible. 

No. Utilities that are paid by the landlord and/or included in your rent will be treated as rent.

No. Emergency Rent Relief payments — which are distributed through Alaska Housing Rent Relief — are not considered taxable for tenants. Click here for more information.

Alaska Housing Rent Relief provides up to 12 months of rent and/or utility relief ​​​​​​to eligible Alaskans who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation will administer up to $200 million in federal funds to eligible Alaskan renters through an application process.

Click here to sign up for important updates about Alaska Housing Rent Relief, including if any additional funds become available for renters. 

Register with Alaska Housing Rent Relief as a landlord which will reduce the number of requests from tenants for your information. By providing your tax and payment information, we can get you paid faster and, ultimately, keep your tenants in their rental homes.

Click here to sign up for these important updates.

Your information is safe with us. All data is encrypted and will never be shared with anyone outside of this program.

For direct assistance, call or text "relief" to (833) 440-0420 toll free.