At the closing of the Sullivan Arena as a congregate shelter, it was noted in the media that the cost had been nearly $1 million per month to house approximately 300 chronic homeless residents. That was taxpayer money, whether from the federal government or local property taxpayers. And there has been no solution put forward by either the Assembly or the mayor’s office that both can agree on, before we spend more taxpayer funds on a Band-Aid non-solution.
It has also been noted in media sources that the chronic homeless population in Anchorage, approximately 1,000 individuals, is about 50-70% Alaska Native. The question that occurs to me has been, “Have the Native corporations taken positive steps to address the problems faced by their members and constituents?” I hope someone can give us a positive and definitive response.
— David Schauer
Anchorage
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