03/05/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

HOUSE BILL NO. 65                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
"An Act making regional  Native housing authorities eligible                                                                    
to  receive  grants  through   the  Alaska  Housing  Finance                                                                    
Corporation  from the  senior  citizens housing  development                                                                    
fund."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:35:15 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  BRYCE EDGMON,  introduced HB  65. He  stated                                                                    
that  the intent  of the  legislation  was to  speak to  the                                                                    
increasing housing demands for  seniors. He relayed that the                                                                    
legislation would allow the  regional housing authorities in                                                                    
the state to  be more competitive when  attempting to access                                                                    
the  Senior Housing  Grant Fund  through the  Alaska Housing                                                                    
finance  Corporation (AHFC).  The housing  authorities would                                                                    
be placed  directly under Title  18, enabling them  to apply                                                                    
directly for the fund.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson  asked how many  seniors were affected  by the                                                                    
lack provisions for the available housing grants.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Edgmon  assumed  that the  number  would  be                                                                    
significant.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson  queried the  distribution of  the legislative                                                                    
effects.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Edgmon replied  that there  were 14  housing                                                                    
authorities across  the state, half  of which had  not taken                                                                    
the  step to  form a  not-for-profit. He  believed that  the                                                                    
bill would have significant impact across the state.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:37:33 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  noted that the legislation  was a priority                                                                    
for the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public  testimony. There being none,                                                                    
public testimony was CLOSED.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman discussed a fiscal note in the packet.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
HB  65  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in   committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:38:38 AM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:42:08 AM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED