Lawmakers Say $4 Million Is Too Much And Reject Shelter Funding For Up To 900 Anchorage Homeless
LEGISLATORS DON'T SEE CITY'S HOMELESSNESS AS "ALASKAN" PROBLEM Anchorage To Close Shelter May 31st, Asked Legislators To...
LEGISLATORS DON'T SEE CITY'S HOMELESSNESS AS "ALASKAN" PROBLEM
Anchorage To Close Shelter May 31st, Asked Legislators To Help 900 Alaskans
(Photo by Copper River Country Journal)
Finance Committee Says No
Over 40% Of Anchorage's "Homeless" Are Alaska Natives From Throughout Alaska
As Anchorage's temperatures begin to climb into the 30s and 40s, an increasing number of homeless people are out on the snow clogged sidewalks of the city, pushing walkers and carrying bags full of their belongings as summer approaches.
The city of Anchorage has asked for help. It's been using a "Solid Waste Services" building to shelter people throughout the winter. The shelter serves 200 people, providing them protection from the street.
It's been a hard winter. Funding for Anchorage's winter shelters runs out at the end of May. The city has requested $4 million to help keep Alaskans sheltered through this fall. But, in Juneau, the House Finance Committee said it was not interested, according to a story on April 1st, 2024 on KTUU TV. They have refused to help.
The House Finance Committee apparently feels that low-barrier shelters (ones in which people are willingly accepted without having to prove they have successfully passed a drug test) are not a good use of state money.
