COVID-19 Resources
SWAMC staff is actively engaged in conversations with other ARDORs, the Alaska Small Business Development Center, Alaska Municipal League, and other State and Federal agency representatives to sift through and understand the many resources available for businesses, municipalities, tribes, and individuals who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We set up this page as a resource for anyone in our region who doesn’t know where to begin but needs economic assistance. SWAMC staff doesn’t claim to be experts on these programs, but we can put southwest residents in touch with the people who do.
AK Can Do COVID-19 Response Fund: Housing, Utility, and Childcare
The United Way of Anchorage and The Alaska Community Foundation, with support from the Rasmuson Foundation, have partnered to organize a statewide COVID-19 relief fund called AK Can Do, and people and businesses across Alaska have been donating money. United Way of Anchorage has granted some of these funds to SWAMC as the provider to distribute in our region for our neighbors in need of housing support, utility assistance, or childcare costs during the pandemic.
If you have lost your job since March 17th because of pandemic-caused statewide shelter-in-place, non-essential-business closures, or travel bans, and are in danger of not being able to pay rent, mortgage payments, or utilities for the month of April or May, you are eligible to apply for assistance that would be paid directly to your landlord or utility provider. If you are an essential worker who had to find emergency childcare because of school closures, you are eligible for assistance to be paid directly to your childcare provider. Complete applications will be reviewed and verified by SWAMC staff; financial assistance will be provided through May 31 or until funds run out.