Denali Commission, Alaska Housing, Native American Housing Get 2013 Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Murkowski secured provisions in an FY2013 Appropriations bill that mean continued progress on Alaska’s rural road system and security for the housing market in Alaska through her position on the Senate Appropriations Committee. These priorities were addressed in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) bill that passed out of the committee Thursday.

“While so many of my colleagues push and advocate for renovations or maintenance of their basic housing and road systems, Alaska is still a very young state and needs the bare essentials,” said Murkowski. “Even in fiscally tight times, we need to provide services that help put a roof over someone’s head or build a road to create community and economic opportunities.”

Alaska Will Benefit from:

• $15 million in funds for the Denali Access program to develop basic road networks for Alaska’s rural communities.
• Fiscal security for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, which will continue to be recognized as a ‘state agency,’ making Housing and Urban Development funds available for its work.
• $650 million for the Native American Housing block grant program nationwide that will benefit low-income Alaska Natives’ housing efforts.
• $7.5 million for needed construction and upkeep on ferry boats and terminals on the Alaska Marine Highway System.