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

Yes. Alaska Housing Rent Relief can provide assistance with current and future rent 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).

Note that income documentation is required for the entire household.

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. 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

For applicants whose rent relief is ending, please be proactive and speak with your landlord about your circumstances. 

AHFC’s mission is to provide Alaskans access to safe, quality, affordable housing. As of March 25, 2022, AHFC has paid more than $254 million in emergency rental assistance for Alaskans impacted by the pandemic. 

Should you need further assistance, additional resources may be available. 

• Explore public housing options and/or voucher programs in your community
• Find out if you qualify for Emergency Housing Vouchers
• Learn about the Housing Stabilization & Recovery program
• Visit The Association of Alaska Housing Authorities' (AAHA) for information about regional housing authorities and available resources
• Connect with a HUD-certified housing counselor
• Call or visit 2-1-1
• Visit AHFC’s Employment Library for assistance with job readiness
• Download AHFC’s free budgeting tool to assist with developing a budget and managing monthly expenses 

If you continue to have financial challenges that make paying your rent difficult, we encourage you to review and take advantage of these resources to make sure you remain safely housed.

No. Only fees that were agreed to as part of the original lease are eligible to be paid.

If rent is increased on a lease established on or after March 5, 2021, it will not be covered. However, if an increase is made as part of the normal practices within that rental market it could be considered an allowable expense. This will be determined by a processing partner who determines eligibility and how much relief should be provided to an individual. 

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

If you received rent relief as a tenant, as a potential borrower you must provide the lending agency with documentation showing that you’ve made 6 months’ rent payments from your own funds, following the last payment received from Alaska Housing Rent Relief.

Alaska Housing Rent Relief provides financial assistance for rent and/or utility obligations ​​​​​​to eligible Alaskans who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Approved payments are made directly to landlords and utility companies.

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.

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

You can check the status of your application here.

Check your "junk" or "spam" folders. Make sure that you include "help@alaskahousingrelief.org" in your "safe senders" list.