Next Step is a collaborative pilot project to house 150 people by the end of May 2024, moving individuals from Anchorage emergency cold weather shelter into housing. Services are tailored to individual needs to help people begin a new chapter in life.
See Progress! 107/150 housed through Next Step.
It only takes $85/day to house one person with supports.
It costs $100 for a day in a shelter.
***Count updated April 29, 2024.***
The timing is right.
Anchorage is ready. Over the last two years, a public-private partnership has laid a foundation that includes a nationally recognized program to convert hotels into housing, street outreach to connect with those living outdoors, and improved data collection that creates the most complete picture to date of who is experiencing homelessness.
The city’s emergency cold weather plan for the winter of 2023-24 includes a groundbreaking focus on housing.
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Property Owners and Managers
You can solve homelessness in Anchorage!
We are looking for market-rate units in which to house our clients. Next Step will pay for the units, so we are not asking for a donation. We are asking for your collaboration to help us solve homelessness within the Anchorage area!
This program is designed to be a win-win relationship for everyone. Contact us today to learn more and get started.
How to Help
Help us welcome our neighbors to their new homes!
We are seeking donations for our move-in kits. Drop items off at our office, 3427 E. Tudor Road, Suite A, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9-4. New household goods only, please!
You can order right off our Amazon wish list for easy delivery to our office or go off the downloadable wish list below.
We appreciate any help!
Focused Help
The team will work this winter and spring with individuals staying in a cold-weather shelter.
If 150 people are placed into housing with services, that’s 150 fewer people without a place to go.
Working with Partners
The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, the Municipality of Anchorage, and cold-weather shelter operator Henning Inc. are taking the lead and working with service providers. The Houston, Texas-based Coalition for the Homeless, which has made dramatic progress through this approach, is providing guidance.
Steps for Success
Help begins with a housing assessment, a person-centered planning tool. This will document what the individual wants and needs as well as the person’s barriers to housing and resources. Housing navigators with the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness will conduct the assessment through the Coordinated Entry system.
Landlords will be offered financial incentives to hold units, buying into the market.
Housing navigators will help individuals collect needed documents such an ID or birth certificate. They also will help clients apply for subsidies and apartments and view units.
Everyone housed will be connected to a case manager for needed supports and services including regular home visits.
A landlord liaison will mediate issues and risk will be managed through a risk mitigation pool.
Costs and Savings
$100 a day per person in a shelter.
$85 average daily cost to house a person.
"Another chance, another opportunity for clients to get back on their feet. People may not know, that there are clients here that are difficult to house that our case managers have been able to get into housing... they just needed stability"
- Ana Vanilau at Henning, Inc.
Henning, Inc. and other partners in town are making a huge impact by connecting people to housing and supports through Next Step!
What are Anchorage leaders saying about Next Step?
Mayor Dave Bronson
“The Next Step initiative is a great step in the right direction. The goal to move 150 people from cold weather shelter to permanent housing by the end of April is one that I fully support.”
Felix Rivera, Anchorage Assembly Chair, Committee on Housing and Homelessness
“I want to prove the concept and then I want to plan for what's next, the next 300, the next 500, whatever that next step is. I want to build community buy-in on this model and build the bench of leadership.”
Chris Constant, Anchorage Assembly Chair
“We have the right partners, we have the right infrastructure, and we have the right regulations to make it work. Now we just need to find some more money.”
Houston, Texas, has reduced homelessness by more than 60% since 2012. Leaders in the effort visited Anchorage in December 2023 to share their knowledge. Here is some of their encouragement and guidance.
“It’s fiscally responsible. … Ninety percent of those people are going to be successful and be able to move on with their lives and build full lives.”
— Mike Nichols, Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County President and CEO
“The key here is really engaging everybody. There's religious communities, the business community, philanthropy, the general public. You want all of these folks together. It's the power when you really get down to it.”
— Bob Eury, Houston business leader
“Just think about how great this project can be and then how great the next few years are going to be for all of you. …You're definitely on the right path.”
— Ana Rausch, Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County Vice president of program operations
“Let's look at data. … There's a lot of political theories masquerading as solutions out there that have absolutely no data to back it up. The only data out there that shows substantial reductions in homelessness is housing with services.”
— Marc Eichenbaum, Special assistant to Houston mayor, homelessness initiatives
Next Step in the Media
Assembly passes $1.5M in tax revenue for homeless housing initiative, approves reclassification of triplex housing
Alaska’s News Source, 1/16/24
Reporters: Joe Cadotte and Lex Yelverton
Anchorage homeless rental program gets $1.5M boost
Alaska Public Media, 1/18/28
Reporter: Jeremy Hsieh
Anchorage Assembly spends $1.5 million to house homeless and sets aside money for shelter pilot project
Anchorage Daily News, 1/17/24
Reporter: Emily Goodykoontz
Anchorage city leaders look to Houston’s homelessness efforts for solutions
Anchorage Daily News, 12/9/23
Reporter: Emily Goodykoontz
‘Next step’ initiative underway as Anchorage leaders look to housing as the solution for homelessness
Alaska’s News Source, 12/6/23
Reporter: Lex Yelverton
Houston experts working with Anchorage officials on homeless housing pilot program
Alaska’s News Source, 12/5/23
Reporters: David Bernknopf and Rebecca Palsha
‘Next Step’ initiative plans transition of 150 homeless out of shelters and into more permanent housing
Alaska’s News Source, 12/4/23
Reporter: Joe Cadotte
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We are thrilled to announce that 15 more neighbors have taken a monumental step on their journey to stability and independence, bringing the total to 50!