Anchorage Assembly Seeks to Override Mayor Bronson's Veto

The Anchorage Assembly will seek to override Mayor David Bronson's veto of AO 2021-26 which would create a 'Houseless Lived Experience Advisory Board.' The board would serve to provide the Assembly and Mayor Bronson with a meaningful perspective of homelessness and would consist of 9 members serving three-year terms who self-identify as having experienced homelessness.

The proposed ordinance had been approved by a 9-2 vote of the Assembly, demonstrating a veto-proof level of support, but Mayor Bronson who has referred to Anchorage's unhoused population as "vagrants," vetoed the proposed board last Friday.

AO 2021-26 was supported by many organizations such as the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, the Houseless Resources Advisory Council, and the Alaska Black Caucus. The ordinance would have given people experiencing homelessness a seat at the table.

The override will be voted on at a Special Meeting of the Assembly tomorrow at 3:30 pm.

Because the items on the agenda are not public hearing items, interested individuals should email the Assembly with their thoughts. wwmas@muni.org