Friday, Oct 5 2012 3:10PM

The Housing Choice Voucher Program was started by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to provide those living in Anchorage, and possibly other surrounding rural communities, affordable housing assistance, local news station KSKA-Anchorage reports.

The agency stopped accepting applications for housing assistance in 2011 to prevent a backlog from developing. The previous system was based on points that applicants were awarded that qualified them for assistance, according to the news station. This system left some applicants on the wait-list for many years.

However, the new lottery system will be computerized for clearer organization, which could allow the AHFC to meet the housing assistance needs of more residents. In Anchorage, 2,500 applicants will be accepted, while 4,500 will be helped statewide.

"It's truly just a needs based system," AHFC director Katherine Stone told KSKA. "If you meet the income criteria, then you can apply for the program. If you get in with the lottery then you can expect to receive voucher within the next year, year and half at the latest. And then we do anticipate that after that point in time, we'll open it up again."

The agency added that those with children will be granted a larger voucher than single-person applicants through the program. The rent assistance will pay 30 percent of their monthly housing expenses. Additionally, officials may expand the lottery system to other cities, including Juneau and Fairbanks.

For further information, check out this source: KSKA-Anchorage