Senate Appropriators Advance Bill with Alaska Priorities for Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing
Washington, DC – Last week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to advance the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) that contains significant Alaska priorities. The bill was approved in committee and will now advance to the Senate floor for consideration.
“This funding meets some of Alaska’s most critical needs, ranging from affordable housing to infrastructure improvements,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for these wide-ranging investments that will benefit all Americans and provide stability for those who need some help getting back on their feet.”
Highlights from the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Bill
Investments in Aviation Safety
Air travel is a way of life in Alaska, and oftentimes pilots are flying without guidance or accurate weather assessments. In recognition of these life-threatening conditions, Senator Murkowski is focused on bolstering aviation safety in Alaska and around the country. To that end, the THUD appropriations bill invests $20 million for the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (DYAASI), and $687.5 million for Essential Air Service.
Bolstering Infrastructure
Senator Murkowski understands the diverse infrastructure needs in Alaska and around the country. Ensuring America’s roads, railroads, and maritime transport routes remain safe and efficient is essential. This bill provides for $63 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, $2.9 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, and $874 million for the Maritime Administration, including $30 million for Assistance to Small Shipyards Grants and $75 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program.
Supporting Community Development Initiatives
Senator Murkowski recognizes the importance of having a safe place to call home for people of all ages, and how difficult it is to secure it. She advocated for significant funding for initiatives that aim to make housing more accessible in communities around the country.
Senator Murkowski ensured a continued investment of $107 million in funding for the Youth Homeless Demonstration Program, which takes a comprehensive, community-based approach to reduce the number of young people experiencing homelessness. She also secured $1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, which provides the Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for grants used by states, local governments, and nonprofits to buy, build, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing options for low-income Americans. She also successfully fought for $52 million to rehouse survivors of domestic violence. Additionally, Senator Murkowski advocated for significant investments in Tribal Housing programs, $1.11 billion for Indian Housing Block Grants, and $10 million for Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers.
In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Senator Murkowski was able to secure investments specific to 27 Alaska communities, projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations in this bill:
- Anchorage: $1,600,000 for Covenant House Alaska to purchase the Dena’ina House.
- Anchorage: $287,000 for NeighborWorks Alaska to replace their fire alarm system.
- Anchorage: $750,000 for Anchorage Community Land Trust for building repairs.
- Anchorage: $320,000 for Catholic Social Services to improve accessibility and egress at shelter.
- Buckland, Noatak, Kivalina: $330,000 for Northwest Arctic Borough School District to construct and renovate teacher housing.
- Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of AK: $2,500,000 to provide housing for first responders in Angoon, Hydaburg, Kake, Thorne Bay, and Pelican.
- City of Angoon: $2,000,000 to design and construct access to boat launch facility.
- Cordova: $750,000 for Cordova Family Resource Center to purchase and renovate a building.
- Craig: $900,000 for Helping Ourselves Prevent Emergencies (HOPE) to purchase a building for a domestic violence shelter.
- Emmonak: $4,000,000 through the Denali Commission to construct a domestic violence shelter.
- Fairbanks: $5,000,000 for the Alaska Department of Transportation (AKDOT) for road reconstruction.
- Fairbanks: $2,000,000 for North Star Council on Aging to rehabilitate senior housing.
- Fairbanks: $1,000,000 for Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services Inc to construct affordable housing.
- Fairbanks: $700,000 for Fairbanks Youth Advocates to build transitional housing for youth at risk of homelessness.
- Haines: $1,000,000 for Borough of Haines to construct an early childhood education building.
- Kake: $2,000,000 for Kake Tribal Corporation to replace a dock.
- Ketchikan: $1,575,000 for Inter-Island Ferry Authority for marine vessel upgrades.
- Ketchikan: $1,000,000 for Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Inc. to purchase and renovate a building to support people with disabilities.
- Ketchikan: $2,000,000 for Ketchikan Indian Community to construct a navigation center.
- Minto: $608,000 for Yukon Koyukuk School District to renovate teacher housing.
- Naknek: $2,000,000 for South Naknek Village Council to construct affordable housing.
- Native Village of Diomede: $1,500,000 to renovate teacher housing.
- Native Village of Unalakleet: $255,000 to construct housing for victims of violent crimes.
- Nome: $4,000,000 for City of Nome to construct housing for teachers and public safety officers.
- Nulato Village: $4,000,000 for Nulato Village for port infrastructure improvements.
- Petersburg: $2,000,000 for Petersburg Borough to replace a float and breakwater at Banana Point.
- Saint Paul Island: $1,000,000 for City of Saint Paul for fire station construction and renovation.
- Seldovia: $482,000 for City of Seldovia to replace the Jakolof Bay Dock.
- Sitka: $1,000,000 for Sitkans Against Family Violence to construct and renovate a domestic violence shelter.
- Soldotna: $2,387,000 for AKDOT to reconstruct a portion of Marydale Avenue.
- Talkeetna: $4,500,000 for Sunshine Station Child Care Center to design and construct a new childcare center.
- Thorne Bay: $1,574,000 for City of Thorne Bay to construct a new Fire and EMS building.
- Wasilla: $3,000,000 for Wasilla Airport (IYS) to design and extend runway.
- Yakutat: $2,000,000 for City & Borough of Yakutat to build housing.
###
