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Shelter system near capacity; health department recommends phased surge capacity and flags care gaps for clients needing daily living support
Summary
Shelter operators said Anchorage had been operating at or near capacity and recommended a phased activation of surge shelter beds; staff described challenges with clients who cannot perform activities of daily living, bed bug treatment at a shelter, and use of the Anchorage Safety Center as overflow.
Emily Robinson, identified in the meeting as "with IRS," told the Assembly Housing and Homeless Committee on Oct. 15 that the shelter system had been operating "at or near capacity every single night" and that staff are prioritizing rapid exits to housing to maximize use of roughly 300 available beds.
Robinson said the city used an intensive case-management pathway (at the Alex Hotel) to accelerate exits; in October, nine individuals moved directly to housing and three went to the Providence House with community funds. She described a recent example in which a client was connected to case management and transported home with multiple staff touchpoints.
Abatements and surge capacity Robinson said an abatement was scheduled the following Tuesday at Russian Jack and Willowa; in advance of abatements, outreach teams (APD HOPE team, ACH outreach, Covenant House outreach) offer shelter and beds held for individuals who…
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