Homelessness and Health

Homelessness is a public health concern. Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are at elevated risk for many adverse medical conditions and premature death. Recent estimates indicate that approximately 2,000 people across Alaska experience homelessness. The Section of Epidemiology has developed resources to help service providers better support the health of PEH.

This website is primarily focused on Alaska-specific information and resources. To learn more about homelessness in the United States, including policy discussions and national resources, visit the US Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Information about Homelessness in Alaska

Several different organizations collect data about homelessness in Alaska.

• Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness collects and displays numbers of people experiencing homelessness.
• Institute for Community Alliances provides data on how PEH services are used.

There are also several local coalitions working to address homelessness in their respective communities.

General Infection Control Guidelines for Shelters

Crowded living arrangements in homeless shelters can facilitate the person-to-person spread of certain communicable diseases. Public health recommendations and resources are available to help address this concern:

• Alaska Homeless Shelter Infection Control Recommendations were developed by local communicable disease epidemiologists, infection preventionists, and shelter staff.
• Recently, it has been recommended that persons experiencing homelessness get vaccinated against hepatitis A virus (HAV).
• Additional resources on communicable diseases and homelessness are available from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.

Tuberculosis Infection Prevention Recommendations for Shelters

Alaska has higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) than other parts of the country, and TB infection rates are often particularly high among PEH. The following guidelines are available to help prevent the spread of TB at homeless shelters:

• Shelter TB Control Guidelines were developed in Alaska for our particular state situation.
• The Curry Center has a toolkit directed at homelessness and TB.
• The CDC also has a webpage with resources and considerations for TB in the homeless population.

Resources for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

• Homeless Organization Information
  If you have additional resources to add to this spreadsheet, please let us know!
• Persons experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for hepatitis A infection. Hepatitis A can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. Individuals should call their healthcare provider or 2-1-1 to find a service provider that provides the immunizations.
• Division of Behavioral Health has some resources for supportive housing

Disaster Preparedness Toolkit

• Disaster Preparedness to Promote Community Resilience:
  Information and Tools for Homeless Service Providers and Disaster Professionals

Comments, questions, and suggestions regarding this website can be directed to the Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8000 or InfDisease@alaska.gov