Spotlight on Anchorage Continuum of Care: NeighborWorks Alaska

It’s easy to think of a landlord as someone who collects rent. But in Anchorage, one of the city’s largest landlords spends each day helping people find stability, dignity and home.

NeighborWorks Alaska has been doing just that for more than 40 years, providing safe and affordable housing — and second chances — to people moving beyond homelessness.

Laura Cox-Wilson is NeighborWorks director of supportive housing.

The nonprofit owns more than 1,000 housing units spread across Anchorage, many of them set aside for those with low incomes. One property, the 73-unit Adelaide building in downtown Anchorage, is dedicated entirely to those emerging from homelessness. Rents are supported with Section 8 vouchers. The organization also is part of the Anchorage Continuum of Care, receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing for people who have been experiencing homelessness. It works with other nonprofits and nearly 200 private landlords to ensure individuals get housing that fits their needs and circumstances.

“It’s client choice for the most part. We strive for appropriate housing placement whenever possible,” said Laura Cox-Wilson, NeighborWorks director of supportive housing. One individual came to NeighborWorks fleeing a domestic violence situation. She had mental health and substance misuse challenges. Once safely housed with her child, she took big steps forward. She graduated from college, landed a good job helping others and eventually bought her own home.

 That shining success story speaks to the desired path: From homelessness to stability to independence, opening space for another person in rough times.

 These HUD-funded programs draw from Anchorage’s by-name list of people experiencing homelessness. Several organizations around town, including shelters and the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, enroll individuals on that list through a process called Coordinated Entry. Under current practice, those who have experienced homelessness the longest rise to the top and are referred for housing. This system helps ensure fairness and efficiency — without it, people would have to visit multiple offices and apply separately at each one. That’s a daunting task in a city with limited public transportation and long, harsh winters that can make simply getting across town a barrier to housing access. The challenge, however, is limited openings in housing programs — meaning long waits for many.

NeighborWorks Continuum of Care projects serve distinct populations:

• RISE, or Resources & Initiatives to Support and Empower: Permanent supportive housing for adults with higher needs. Apartments are scattered at various sites and NeighborWorks provides intensive case management to help residents achieve stability. Some 77 people are being served.

• SRA, or Sponsor-based Rental Assistance: This program serves around 67 individuals. It doesn’t include intensive case management so individuals must be more self-sufficient to start with. A housing support specialist works with residents to improve their income and other areas that can lead to independence.

• ENH, or Empowering New Hope: This program started in July to serve 10 households seeking safety from domestic violenc

• Youth housing: Two programs, Roots 2 RISE and the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program or YHDP, provide permanent supportive housing to young adults age 18 to 24, serving about 30 individuals combined.

Posters at the NeighborWorks Alaska office in Anchorage.

The NeighborWorks team includes a housing placement officer who works with landlords to resolve issues, a housing placement specialist who completes HUD inspections on all units rented, and a housing intervention specialist who provides life skills training to help residents succeed. Someone who has lived outdoors might need guidance in doing the laundry or cleaning the kitchen or in decluttering rather than holding onto everything. Individuals also can take a ready-to-rent class with basics on leases, budgets and how to be a good neighbor. Completing that course can help them qualify for a unit despite a bumpy tenant history. The department is also comprised of a supportive housing compliance officer, housing support officer and 10 housing support specialists. The department also houses the coordinator for the Anchorage Reentry Coalition.

About 87% of NeighborWorks clients who have experienced homelessness over the last 10 years have remained housed, long term, Cox-Wilson said.

Tailored supports are key, she said. Anchorage needs more services and housing to address the numbers of people in need, she said. More prevention programs to provide a hand before problems spiral. More programs for those just coming out of camps. More case management to guide individuals.

“If we can increase the types of programs that we have and increase the resources and the funding for all of those programs, add in the prevention and diversion piece, not only will we shorten the amount of time individuals experience homelessness, but I think that we will slowly have a chance to get to that absolute zero,” Cox-Wilson said, referring to the point where no one languishes in homelessness for lack of services.

She recalled the story of one youth who had been homeless before NeighborWorks. His landlord took an interest and mentored him to take up a trade. He’s now a credentialed welder, making his own way in the world.