Reporters press senators on cut to AHFC homeless assistance funding; lawmakers say they will review

Eric Stone of Alaska Public Media asked whether senators were considering increasing funding for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's Homeless Assistance Program, which the transcript shows received about $10,100,000 last year and faces roughly $5,000,000 in the governor's proposal this year.

Senator Souto acknowledged the discrepancy and said the Senate is "taking a look at that," inviting the reporter to attend Senate Finance to watch proposed amendments and changes unfold. "I invite you to finance committee here shortly to see us unfold some of our changes," Souto said.

Senators did not commit to a specific restoration level in the public exchange recorded in the transcript; they stated only that the mental health budget request was roughly $10 million, the governor reduced it to about $5 million, and that committee staff are examining options.

What to watch: follow‑up reporting should confirm the final Senate Finance recommendation and any dollar amounts restored or reallocated; the transcript records intent to revisit the item but does not record final funding decisions.