Housing Crisis in Nome: Homeless, not hopeless Thu, 07/22/2021 - 8:44pm admin
By Julia Lerner As the housing crisis worsens, The Nome Nugget plans to explore different aspects of homeless and low-income life in the community. Regularly, the Nugget will include an article addressing addiction, the housing crisis, profiles of homeless residents, and different approaches and solutions to the crisis. This article, titled “Homeless, not Hopeless”, is designed as an introduction to Nome’s unhoused population. We will dig much deeper into each aspect of homelessness, as well as solutions, over the coming weeks. Robert “B Boy” Lincoln loves to cook. He’s currently learning how to pickle and has practiced by pickling several pounds of vegetables in the last few weeks. His next project, he says, is sauerkraut.
During their extended meeting on January 21, the Nome Port Commission clarified the next steps for the Deep Draft Port, discussed funding for the Ramp Improvement Project, and decided to request more funding from the Nome City Council.
“The city agreed to the 20% on the existing grant. We must commit to 20% on the increased match.”
– Joy Baker
That’s Nome’s Port Director, Joy Baker, speaking to the Nome City Council on Monday about funding for the Ramp Replacement Project. The City is expected to handle a fifth of the cost with a previous grant agreement, but the project will cost more than expected. The Port Commission spent a large portion of their meeting last week discussing how to handle the increased cost.
During a sparsely attended Nome City Council session, the council opted not to spend any money in their first regular meeting of 2021.
The City has received $200,000 from Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation Community Benefits Share. In the past, Nome has typically given that NSEDC money to community groups and non-profits.
But this year, City Manager Glenn Steckman said Nome has put off certain maintenance projects for too long. He recommended upgrading the 45-year-old heating and ventilation systems in City Hall.
“A lot of money has been directed back out to the community, which I fully support, but we also need to take care of some of the needs in our own house.”
Nome’s bars will remain closed for the holidays. That’s following a 5-1 vote by the Nome Common Council on Monday. Under the current plan, bars would be able to reopen on January 4th – at the earliest. Restaurants are expected to remain closed until next Monday (Dec. 21) , along with a restriction on public gatherings of over ten people.
Only Councilmember Jennifer Reader rejected the closures.
The measures and closures are meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. But recognizing the economic hardship for business owners and those working in the service industry, they’ve agreed to provide a $600 weekly stipend for those affected by the restrictions. That vote did pass unanimously. Nome City Manager, Glenn Steckman, says the funds will come from the city’s share of federal pandemic relief received under the CARES Act.
New Year’s Eve celebrations on Nome’s Front Street will be fairly quiet this year if the Nome Common Council decides to keep bars closed to on-site service until 2021. The council debates a new emergency ordinance during tonight’s regular meeting that would keep those establishments limited to take-out service only until January 4
th, 2021.
The council voted on November 25
th to suspend all dine-in alcohol consumption at Nome establishments to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the city. That order expired midnight last night [DEC 13]. Tonight’s focus is specifically on alcohol sales. City Manager, Glenn Steckman, can limit dine-in restaurant service without approval from the council, but regulations on the sale of alcohol must be decided by council vote.