Carol's Message
Continuum of Care: Alaska’s Homeless
Dear Friends,
It's an alarming and sad snapshot. On any given night 3,500 Alaskans are homeless—some in emergency shelters, many on the streets. In 2008 more than 14,000 Alaskans experienced homelessness: 4,000 families with children, 2,400 elders, aged 55 or older and 2,800 children. These people are Alaska's homeless.These numbers represent real people—families, youth and elders right here in our community.
I often say the numbers don’t tell the very real stories about real people. People like Wayne, a resident of Covenant House Crisis Center. He is now connected to many resources in the community and is on his way to a more stable life. It is important to know that sometimes it is just the little things that make a big difference in people's lives. Thanks to Covenant House, Wayne obtained his birth certificate, State ID, adoption papers, BIA card and social security card. He is working to further his education and has accessed medical resources enabling him to obtain much-needed glasses, medication and mental health treatment. He is participating in employment workshops and has become familiar with housing options in the community—including Cook Inlet Housing.
Or take Susan, a woman who did all she could to take care of her mother during her mother’s final months of life. She left her job because her mother could no longer care for herself. Unfortunately, shortly after her mother passed away, Susan became ill herself and was unable to find work or pay for medical care. She sold everything she owned, including her car, to maintain her housing. Eventually she was evicted and spent six months homeless. When it became too cold to "camp" Susan came to the Brother Francis Shelter (BFS) with only a grocery bag to her name. Because of the stability that BFS provides, she can now actively seek employment and plan for a more stable future.
A birth certificate. Identification. Stability. These are necessary items many of us take for granted. But imagine if you didn’t have them, or even know how to get them. Or if you had to choose between food, shelter and basic needs.
No one should ever have to make those choices. However, circumstances occur all too often that require people to do just that. The most common factors include inadequate income, deficient supply of affordable housing, lack of job and life skills, catastrophic events and insufficient support services.
The Continuum of Care (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 maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.
Cook Inlet Housing and many community partners are committed to solving affordable housing needs within the CoC. Through education and support, together we can change the lives of those in need. To further our common goal, CIHA contributes funding every year to organizations such as the Catholic Social Services Brother Francis Shelter, Covenant House and Salvation Army McKinnell House. These funds are directed toward immediate services such as shelter and onsite medical assessment and to housing-related services and programs including education, advocacy, daily living skills, employment assistance and financial aid. These funds leverage existing local capacity through experienced and effective providers allowing a housing component to enhance their efforts.
We all have hope for a strong, thriving community where no human ever has to choose between housing and food. A community where every family, individual, child and elder has a safe, comfortable home and is empowered to build a strong community. By working together and supporting our partners in their efforts, we are creating opportunity and hope for our community.
Carol