Hundred's of people experiencing homelessness have been living inside the Sullivan Arena for more than a year since the start of the pandemic. Reports of poor conditions have emerged from the shelter, while the city administration says calls to 911 have gone down under the new contractor.
The overall proposed plans seem to have boiled down to two imperative questions: What will the municipality do with the mass shelter, for example, the Sullivan Arena, and what’s the long-term plan to combat homelessness.
One measure would call for homeless shelters to be licensed, another proposal would change zoning regulations that could clear the way for more shelters to be built.
The hope is that the project will improve conditions and facilities in the area, including addressing safety issues and cleanliness, as well as adding to the limited services that are available during daytime hours.
December 21st is a day used to remember those in the homeless community that lost their lives this year. In 2020 however, it's also being used as a time to look forward and the pending challenges as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
As temperatures drop, more people are seeking shelter, leading to what Anchorage’s homeless coordinator Nancy Burke called a “challenging position” for the city. On some nights, there wasn’t enough space at the emergency shelter inside the Sullivan Arena, which is the only shelter currently open for referrals. People had to be added to a waitlist or turned away.
As homeless shelters in Anchorage reach max capacity night after night, the municipality is working on reducing the crowds and hopefully, keeping and getting people in homes of their own.
Plenty of voices against the proposed homeless services from residents have been heard. In some cases, the folks who would be using them have. Here are some of their thoughts.
Edward and Mary Savage said their son Joshua was always allowed back home if he sobered up and got a job. But he never did, and now he never will. They hope other parents can learn from their story.
A network of churches in Anchorage is sheltering families and at-risk individuals from the overnight cold, alleviating some of the strain on the city's larger shelters.
Anchorage shelters as well as about 10 churches are housing many of the city's homeless through persistent subzero temperatures -- and some are packed to the brim.
