Counting the Homeless in Alaska Kris Duncan MSW Alaska Housing Finance Corp

Alaska is a huge state! If you were to imagine it positioned over the Lower 48, Alaska would stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

How AK defines “RURAL” A community of 6,500 or less that is not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks. Or, a community of 1,600 or less that is connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks and at least 50 statute miles outside of Anchorage or 25 statute miles outside of Fairbanks. In this definition, “connected by road” does not include a connection by the Alaska Marine Highway System or roads outside the boundary of the State of Alaska.

Alaska: many settlements – few roads

Distance & Cost from Anchorage Fairbanks: 358 miles/$247 r.t. Juneau: 571 miles/$310 r.t. Barrow: 725/$553 r.t. Nome: 540 miles/$417 r.t. Kodiak: 252 miles/$223 r.t. Aleutians (Unalaska): 800 miles/$898 r.t. Bethel: 399 miles/$352 r.t.

Counting Challenges Very few emergency shelters for the general population (mostly DV) Outreach efforts are inconsistent Enumerator training is difficult logistically

AK is in for the long haul! Point In Time (PIT) Count since 1995 Conducted every January and July Supported by providers –Input on development & modifications –Reports used for other agency purposes Kept as simple as possible to stimulate a higher response rate

PIT Partners Homeless school liaisons –Teacher Housing Initiative (stick!) Food pantries Public health clinics Public assistance offices Faith Based & Community Initiative (FCBI) Native housing/Tribal service agencies

Technical Assistance Printed instructions Workshops Coalition presentations Toll-free help desk

Domestic Violence Partners Met with statewide DV provider network Examined HUD CoC Chart Brainstormed duplicate possibilities Developed aggregate survey instrument

Fairbanks Homeless Count - January 2007 Part 1: Homeless PopulationShelteredUnshelteredTotal EmergencyTransitional 1. Number of Households with Dependent Children a. Number of Persons in these Households (adults & children) Number of Households without dependent children a. Total Number of Persons in these Households Total Persons (lines 1a +2a) Part 2: Homeless SubpopulationsSheltered Unsheltered Total a. Chronically Homeless b. Severely Mentally Ill 44 c. Chronic Substance Abuse d. Veterans e. Persons with HIV/AIDS 0000 f. Victims of Domestic Violence g. Unaccompanied Youth -under 18 yrs 0055

Part 3: Homeless PopulationNot Recognized by HUDTotal With Family/FriendsMotel (Temporary) 1. Number of Households with Dependent Children 213 1a. Number of Persons in these Households (adults & children) Number of Households without dependent children a. Total Number of Persons in these Households Total Persons (lines 1a +2a) Part 3a: Homeless Subpopulations With Family/FriendsMotel (Temporary) Total a. Chronically Homeless 11 b. Severely Mentally Ill 11 c. Chronic Substance Abuse 33 d. Veterans 55 e. Persons with HIV/AIDS f. Victims of Domestic Violence 213 g. Unaccompanied Youth -under 18 yrs 26 Fairbanks Homeless Count - January 2007

Looking Ahead HMIS? Not likely State data warehouse? Possibly Dept. of Corrections coordinating Fewer homeless means an easier count!!!