Closing camps: Anchorage Police recently posted notices, seen here on Oct. 16, that homeless campers must clear out of a wooded area near Reeve Boulevard.
Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News
A statewide reduction in social services – especially rural areas – is pushing problems into Anchorage, where at least 13 people have died on the streets since May.
That’s one of the arguments the Alaska Federation of Natives is making as it calls for emergency funding to house and treat the homeless.
The AFN board says that at least seven of the people who died were Alaska Native. Eight had gone to Cook Inlet Tribal Council for help. Five were trying to find work or go to school. In a resolution passed Oct. 24, the board called for help on several fronts: Funding, housing vouchers, social services.
Maybe you saw that CITC is spending $25,000 to boost a program that helps people stranded in the city get home to villages. I'd like to know more and am looking for help. If you know anyone who is stuck in Anchorage and needs help, or just want to talk about what could/should be done, send me an e-mail or call 257-4334.
(You can now read all the recent AFN resolutions on the federation Web site. The one I’m talking about is the second on the list, after the big subsistence proposal.)
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
