The Anchorage Assembly is Confronting the City’s Housing Crisis
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis database, the median single-family home listing price in Anchorage skyrocketed by 43% in just three years. Simultaneously, rent prices have surged by over 7% in the past year alone. These increases leave people more vulnerable than ever to the pervasive housing crisis that has affected Anchorage and a wide variety of metropolitan areas around the country. The data reflects this.
According to the Alaska Homeless Management Information System in October 2023, a total of 8,897 individuals were actively engaged in emergency services, housing projects, at-risk prevention initiatives, and Coordinated Entry projects across the state. However, while the idea of homelessness is easy to describe as people not having access to a permanent place to live, the causes that lead to these issues are far more complex. In an interview with SDMN, Anna Brawley, a member of the Anchorage Assembly, explains the fundamental connection between homelessness and poverty: “There are a lot of reasons why people fall into homelessness: mental health, maybe you have a condition that makes it hard to keep a job and pay rent. There are also physical conditions that can make this a challenge. Maybe you had a split with your family where you are no longer welcome in your home. If you can’t afford a place to live, society doesn’t give you a lot of options. You end up in public space or with friends.” Anchorage faces its own unique sets of challenges, including the high cost of building. Brawley noted that most housing was built during the ‘70s and ‘80s, and there’s a large number of homes for families and large apartments, but not affordable options. As rent prices increase and other economic issues start to compound, the problem gets worse. In addition, Anchorage’s role as a hub for the state increases the chances of people who can’t afford plane tickets to return to their homes in other parts of Alaska or the country to get “stuck.” Despite facing challenges beyond their control, the Anchorage Assembly is actively addressing issues within its jurisdiction. At the end of October, the Assembly presented a draft of The Housing Action Strategic Plan, which aims to streamline zoning regulations, reduce building costs, and utilize public funds for housing investment. Brawley emphasized the importance of this aspect: “It makes it easier for projects to get loans from a bank and helps ensure that buildings are profitable for developers and make enough money to be maintained.” Brawley stresses the need for collaboration and coordination, not just between the government and the private sector but also involving mental health services to support individuals in maintaining stable housing. This collaboration is happening. In fact, according to Brawley, the combined efforts of government, philanthropy, and the private sector have put more resources than ever, producing positive outcomes, but the problem keeps growing: “Our problem is getting worse, and it’s not because of these investments but larger economic issues that leave folks in these situations.” Felix Rivera, another member of the Anchorage Assembly, also explained the impact of the city’s multi-year partnership with Houston, Texas, where a concerted effort over the past decade resulted in a 63% reduction in homelessness. Members of the Houston Housing coalition met with their counterparts in Anchorage earlier this week to exchange some of the lessons they have learned. In the coming months, Anchorage residents can expect the assembly to continue exploring alternatives to mitigate this issue. “We are looking at short-term rental regulations like AirBnBs, especially in Girdwood. We are also looking at ways to incentivize triplexes and fourplexes, what are the barriers and how we can fix it. We are also trying to reimagine our zoning rules to make it less archaic and more streamlined.” Rivera explained. People can also get involved in this process. Rivera emphasized that residents are encouraged to engage with the Housing Action Strategic Plan, available on Anchorage Housing Action’s website, and share their concerns with elected officials to emphasize the importance of housing reform. Moreover, Brawley calls for continued support for organizations aiding the homeless and actively getting involved in local politics by sharing your perspective on housing. The path forward may be tough but positive changes are already underway, and public involvement is crucial to overcoming the complex issue of homelessness in Alaska. |