How should we use American Rescue Plan funds?
NEC received emergency funding through the The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. The U.S. Treasury Department launched this relief to support the urgent COVID-19 response effort, support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses, and address systemic public health and economic challenges. This funding can be used to meet and address emergency public health needs such as supporting the public health response, addressing negative economic impacts, or investing in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure activities. The deadline to commit the funds is 2024. NEC hosted listening sessions in April 2021 to gather input from tribal members about how to best use the funds. There's still time to share comments or suggestions! Email
covid.relief@necalaska.org or call 907-443-2246.
It's annual meeting time!
NEC's annual meeting of the me
mbership will convene virtually, via Zoom, at 10AM AST on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The pandemic has been hard on everyone and there will come a day when we can gather safely again, but we must be patient. Instructions on how to join the meeting will be mailed directly to tribal members. If you do not receive a postcard, it may be because we don't have your current address on file. Please update your information online at
www.tinyurl.com/NECupdate1 or by calling us at 907-443-2246. Members who participate in the virtual meeting will be eligible for door prizes such as Alaska Airlines miles, gift certificates, etc. Public comments are welcome before and after the meeting. Please send public comments to
annual.meeting@necalaska.org or call 907-443-2246.
Do it for the community: Get vaccinated!
COVID-19 case rates are at an all-time high in Alaska, pushing hospital resources to their limits. The number of cases can most likely be attributed to the highly contagious Delta variant. The vast majority of those suffering from serious illness or death from COVID-19 have not been vaccinated. Help protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community—please get vaccinated if you have not already done so.
Homeowners Assistance Fund coming soon
Earlier this year, NEC applied for funding under the U.S. Treasury's Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) Program, a financial assistance program to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic. The program was delayed, but long-awaited guidance on program requirements has finally been released, allowing NEC to make HAF program documents available for public comment. Our next step is to submit our HAF plan to the U.S. Treasury for approval. We will announce availability of the program once we receive approval and funding from the U.S. Treasury Department.
Emergency rental assistance funding expended
To date, NEC is proud to have assisted 89 households with the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). ERAP aimed to help low-income eligible tribal member households financially impacted by the pandemic with rent and utility assistance. The program closed to applicants on September 10, 2021, because funding was spent. Due to the large response, you may have experienced delayed service. Thank you for your patience as our staff responded to the high volume of calls and requests for assistance.
We need you!
NEC has a number of employment opportunities available and are seeking great people to join our team. Apply today!
Please see below for some exciting updates.
Sincerely,
