The homelessness crisis in Anchorage, particularly among Alaska Natives, is complex and involves a range of social, economic and cultural factors. Alaska Native corporations, established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, have a legal and financial framework primarily focused on managing lands, resources, and providing dividends to their shareholders. However, their role in addressing homelessness varies.
Some Alaska Native corporations and regional nonprofits do participate in efforts to support Alaska Natives, including those experiencing homelessness. These organizations may offer services such as housing assistance, job training, cultural preservation programs, and mental health or substance abuse support. For example, Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) in Anchorage provides various services targeting Alaska Native people, including workforce development and addiction recovery services. CITC works with tribal governments and corporations to address some of the underlying causes of homelessness.
However, the scope and scale of these efforts may not be enough to fully address the increasing homelessness problem, especially given the challenges around mental health, addiction and affordable housing. While Alaska Native corporations provide some benefits and support to their shareholders, the responsibility for addressing homelessness, especially in urban areas like Anchorage, often falls more on local and state governments. This can lead to a gap between the resources Native individuals receive through corporations and the services they need to overcome homelessness in a city setting.
While Native corporations do contribute to supporting Alaska Native communities, the full burden of addressing homelessness largely remains with the public sector. Efforts between Native organizations, government and nonprofits need to be better coordinated to effectively address the underlying causes of this issue.
— Cody Haxby
Anchorage
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