CURRENT SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Prepared January 30, 2025, by the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness
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3,070
End-of-month count of people actively experiencing homelessness through December 31, 2024
Source: AKHMIS
1
There is a continued increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness.
1
People got back in touch with the system (returns from inactive); and
2
Outflow to housing continues to be slow to less than half the average for the 4th consecutive month; and
3
Still high inflow of people (220) newly experiencing homelessness.
Why have exits to housing slowed?
Housing program capacity is full.
And people in those programs are maintaining their housing. Returns from housing continue to be low. This is good news, but more capacity is needed for those still experiencing homelessness.
How does this compare to last December?
Total homelessness was 2,747, so we are up 323 individuals
Housing outflow was 292 compared to 67 this December, that’s 225 less people going to housing.
Fewer returns from housing down from 53 last year to 34 this December.
Now that emergency cold weather shelter is open what can I expect?
Individuals have a warm safe place to sleep.
All new-to-homelessness families are coming into the system via the Family Emergency Cold Weather Shelter process, but there has been insufficient capacity to meet demand.
Some individuals still have barriers to shelter, such as pets, being in a couple and trauma.
Continued street outreach to connect with those who remain unsheltered.
Impact of Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Capacity of 332 Beds (Dec 1st - Dec 31st):
545 People served
16-day Average Length of Stay
274 People entering shelter were living outside
Most were experiencing homelessness for 90 days or more
46% were experiencing chronic homelessness
43% 2+ years of homelessness
221 Exits from emergency cold weather shelter:
5 to permanent housing
1 to other temporary destinations
5 exited to another shelter or outside – homeless situation
144 unknowns (no destination recorded at exit)
Where are the people new to homelessness coming from?
Evictions/Inability to pay rents.
Rents and housing costs are exceeding the ability to pay.
How does the new-to-homelessness inflow impact Anchorage?
Most people who enter the homeless prevention and response system leave quickly through self-resolution. That has slowed.
No new housing program capacity means those needing rental assistance and other supports will have to wait for expanded opportunities. Length of time homeless for those not able to self-resolve may increase.
The influx of individuals experiencing homelessness is disproportionately affecting Alaska Native populations, who are not receiving timely or equitable solutions to address their needs causing their overall representation to continue to grow.
Alaska Native individuals make up 53.5% of the people experiencing homelessness. Pacific Islander (7.6%) and Black (14.7%) community members are also disproportionately impacted.
Shelters see increased demand and remain full with new vacancies filled immediately.
Number of people outside has slightly increased even with 100% shelter utilization.
Upcoming action and opportunity:
Point-in-Time Count occurred Jan. 28, 2025.
Warming center at Henning House is available from 6 p.m. - 8 a.m. daily with limited capacity.
Archived State of Homelessness Reports
Data Dashboards
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Built for Zero Data
Counts the individuals actively experiencing homelessness in Anchorage using the Homeless Management Information System.
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Demographics
Adjustable dashboard of all individuals in Alaska served through HMIS broken down by race, age, project type, and more.
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Point in Time (PIT) Count
The PIT Count is a federal report that counts and collects demographic information on persons experiencing homelessness.
Causes of Homelessness
It is a common misperception that homelessness is the fault of the individual. In reality, studies and evidence show that systemic failures are ultimately the root cause.
A poll conducted by The Denver Foundation’s Close to Home Campaign underscores this misperception. Housed residents of the region cited unemployment, substance use, and mental health as the most common causes of homelessness. However, systemic causes such as inaccessible housing, economic inequality, and racial inequities are the root causes of homelessness. Learn more on our FAQs page.
RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS/FAMILY BREAKUP
LACK OF AFFORDABLE & ACCESSABLE HOUSING
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
LOST A JOB OR COULD NOT FIND WORK
ASKED TO LEAVE OR EVICTED
MEDICAL OR PERSONAL EMERGENCY
People simply cannot afford rent.
In Alaska, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,368. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities — without paying more than 30% of income on housing — a household must earn $4,562 monthly or $54,740 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into an hourly Housing Wage of:
97
Work hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom rental home (at FMR)
74
Work hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 1-bedroom rental home (at FMR)
2.4
Number of full-time jobs at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom rental home (at FMR)
1.9
Number of full-time jobs at minimum wage to afford a 1-bedroom rental home (at FMR)
Gap Analysis 2023
These numbers show the gaps between the actual need for shelter & housing in the Anchorage municipality and the current capacity to meet demand.
221
Shelter
52
Transitional housing
272
Total Shelter & Transitional Housing Gap
581
Rapid rehousing
576
Supportive Housing
1,321
Independent Units*
2,478
Total Permanent Housing Gap
- Updated January, 26th 2023
*Includes independent units, low-income units, & self-resolution