The Anchorage Health Department briefed the Anchorage Assembly work session on a planned seasonal pilot for designated overnight parking to provide a supervised, permitted alternative for people who live in vehicles.

The pilot is slated to operate from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., July 1–Sept. 30, and the department posted a request for proposals with a submission deadline of June 26. Sites will be permitted, supervised, drug‑ and‑alcohol free, and managed by a contracted operator with health‑department oversight; the vendor must provide site security and sanitation and submit data to the health department on vehicles and occupants.

The department said the program is lower barrier than shelter for some people who work standard hours, and emphasized that permits will require a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance. The solicitation calls for a minimum 25‑vehicle site and permits expansion to 50 vehicles per site if demand and site readiness justify it; the health department said it expects two sites but will adjust based on need.

Officials said the program will not allow tent camping and is not intended to become sanctioned camping; it is limited to vehicles that meet permitting requirements. Site rules will include consent to vehicle searches for permitted occupants, and vendors must have a towing contract for vehicles that are noncompliant or inoperable. The health department said vendors will contact Anchorage Police Department when enforcement is needed and that APD may direct individuals to the pilot; if APD directs a vehicle to a site, the driver has 72 hours to complete the permit process.

Members raised concerns about safety, background checks and enforcement capacity. The health department said background checks are not required, citing a desire to keep the program accessible, and said major violations (including on‑site drug or alcohol use) would lead to immediate removal and trespass filings under the solicitation policies. The department said it will monitor vendor compliance and community impacts and coordinate with APD, the municipal ombudsman and neighborhood councils.

The work session did not approve a contract; the RFP review and award process will be conducted through purchasing and the department said staff expect to bring a contract to the assembly in July for approval.