Assembly approves $114,000 amendment to In Our Backyard contract to continue six‑person transitional modular shelter
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Summary
The Assembly voted 11‑0 to approve AM 05:39, an amendment to the grant agreement with In Our Backyard to operate six modular transitional shelter units; the administration said the award funds operations through the end of the calendar year.
The Anchorage Assembly unanimously approved AM 05:39 on July 15, an amendment to an existing grant agreement with In Our Backyard to operate modular units as transitional shelter for six people.
Member McCormick moved the measure and, during discussion, Director Rash said the $114,000 in funding (from 2024 appropriations) would support operations through the end of 2025; In Our Backyard had received funding for only one month in 2024 and this amendment extends the runway for the project. The administration explained that funding is applied to occupants on a per‑person basis and that unused funds would remain if units were vacant.
Assembly members from districts that include the micro‑unit site described the program as a working transitional model and urged the assembly to use lessons learned if the municipality pilots modular shelters on municipal land. The motion passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded the roll as 11‑0.
Why this matters In Our Backyard operates a small, congregated modular transitional shelter model that local members said is moving people into housing and galvanizing faith‑community support. The amendment provides ongoing operational funding for six units through the rest of the year and gives the city additional local experience on modular transitional shelter operations.
Next steps The administration and In Our Backyard will continue operations; the assembly asked for a briefing on program outcomes and on how municipal pilots might learn from the project.