Anchorage Faces Homelessness Crisis as 3 Feet of Snow Prompts Urgent Shelter Expansion Amidst Record Deaths

The city, grappling with an unprecedented amount of 3 feet of snow, is rushing to address the needs of its homeless population, especially as temperatures are anticipated to drop to single digits.

In response to consecutive snowstorms depositing over 3 feet of snow in just nine days, Anchorage faces a critical challenge in providing adequate shelter for the homeless

The urgency is underscored by four reported deaths among the homeless this month, contributing to a record total of 49 deaths of people living outdoors in Alaska‘s largest city this year. The Anchorage Assembly convened in a special session on Tuesday, approving a $200,000 contract to add 50 beds to a recently opened shelter. The existing emergency cold weather shelter, situated in a former waste transfer site, had reached over 90% capacity, prompting unanimous approval for expansion. Alexis Johnson, the city’s homeless director, emphasized the collaboration with the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness to ensure the new beds prioritize those most in need.

Despite concerns about the shelter’s distance from social service organizations, Johnson stressed the importance of maintaining a 200-person capacity, particularly during emergencies like the recent heavy snowfall. The city anticipates an additional cost of nearly $500,000 if the expanded capacity is still required in 2024.

David Rittenberg, senior director of adult homeless services for Catholic Social Services, welcomed the addition of 50 beds, highlighting the strain on existing shelters, which are consistently full

While the demand for beds did not surge during the storms, it is expected to increase as people reconsider their options when the 3 feet of snow subsides. The heavy snowfall disrupted normal city operations, with schools closing, garbage pickups halting, and transportation coming to a standstill.

Despite the substantial 3 feet of snow accumulation, experts caution against assuming a heavy snowfall year, emphasizing the complex interplay of factors influencing seasonal 3 feet of snow totals. Brian Brettschneider, a climate scientist with the National Weather Service, notes that the increased snowfall doesn’t signal a reprieve from global warming, highlighting the delicate balance between rising temperatures and heavier snowfall in Anchorage.

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