Anchorage Continuum of Care

We lead the work on homelessness prevention & response.

The Anchorage Continuum of Care (CoC) guides the Homeless Prevention & Response System (HPRS). The HPRS comprises local organizations and entities that serve those at risk or currently experiencing homelessness. The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness is the Anchorage CoC lead under the governance of the HPRS Advisory Council.

Work of the CoC Lead

Coordinated Entry

Alaska Homeless Management Information System (AKHMIS)

  • AKHMIS is the central database for homeless services in Alaska. AKHMIS collects client, program, and system-level data. Aggregated, anonymous data from AKHMIS is used to generate reports for federal, state, and local funders. Client-level data is used to help connect individuals experiencing homelessness to the best resources to meet their needs. The effective implementation of AKHMIS benefits homeless and near-homeless persons, homeless service providers, agency heads, public policymakers, and the community as a whole as data can be used for both individual and system-wide process improvement.

    AKHMIS adopted the use of Bowman System’s ServicePoint (SP) as its platform for a coordinated community-wide HMIS. SP is a secure web-based application, which can be accessed through encrypted Internet connections from program offices. SP is the most widely used HMIS application in the country.

    AKHMIS services in Alaska are managed by the Institute for Community Alliances (ICA). The CoCs designate ICA to administer HMIS operations on their behalf and to provide HMIS technical administrative functions at the direction of the Continua through the CoC governing bodies and achievements outlined in the contractual agreement. ICA is responsible for managing and administering HMIS operations and activities, as designated by the CoCs.

    Although AKHMIS was initiated to meet the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) data collection requirements, AKHMIS is continuously evolving to better meet the needs of the community. In 2020, a strategic plan was launched to improve the system.

  • ICA Alaska Website

    AKHMIS Data

    AKHMIS Policies and Procedures

    AKHMIS Strategic Plan

    Knowledge Base

    Forms

    Commonly Used Acronyms

    Help Desk

CoC Grant Program

  • Each year ACEH coordinates the submission of HUD CoC project and collaborative applications to fund organizational and partner programs through a competitive grant process.

  • The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; to provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, states, Indian Tribes or tribally designated housing entities (as defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103) (TDHEs)), and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals, families, persons fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and youth while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness; to promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and to optimize self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.

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ACEH is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated lead for the greater Anchorage area’s Continuum of Care (CoC).

Under the governance of the Homeless Prevention and Response System Advisory Council, ACEH is the local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals.

The CoC Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless

individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promoting access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimizing self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

As the HUD designated lead for the Anchorage CoC, the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness is responsible for designating and operating the Homeless Management Information System, designing and implementing the process associated with applying for CoC Program funds and planning for the CoC (including coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system within its geographic area that meets the needs of the individuals and families who experience homelessness there).

The boundaries of the Anchorage CoC.

The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness and the Anchorage CoC serves the greater Anchorage area. This area extends all the way from the Whittier Tunnel to Chugiak.

HUD identifies five necessary parts of a continuum:

According to HUD, a CoC is “a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximize self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.”

Outreach

Outreach, intake, and assessment in order to identify service and housing needs and provide a link to the appropriate level of both.

Shelter

Emergency shelter to provide an immediate and safe alternative to sleeping on the streets, especially for homeless families with children.

Transitional Housing

Transitional housing with supportive services to allow for the development of skills that will be needed once permanently housed.

Permanent Housing

Permanent and permanent supportive housing to provide individuals and families with an affordable place to live with services if needed.

Services

Supportive services, including homeless prevention activities.