Homelessness and Health Data
Key statistics on homelessness in Alaska
Overview
Information on Alaska's homeless population including statistics, housing shortages, and health challenges.
Homelessness and health data
Homelessness in Alaska: By the Numbers
Homelessness in Alaska: By the Numbers
Homelessness in Alaska: By the Numbers
The 2023 Point-In-Time (PIT) count for the State of Alaska showed a total of 2,614 individuals experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness. This is a record high for the past 12 years. This included:
- 1,764 individuals utilizing Emergency Shelter
- 382 utilizing Transitional Housing
- 468 unsheltered
- 1,425 of those clients were in the Anchorage CoC
Note: The PIT count occurs in January, when our unsheltered population is much lower due to Cold Weather Emergency Shelter mandates in Anchorage.
In 2023:
- 44.1% of Alaska’s population of PEH are American Indian/Alaska Native, yet they comprise only 15.2% of our state's population according to the 2020 Census
- 45.1% of the PEH population self-report a disabling condition
- 20.7% of the PEH population have a history of domestic violence
- 16% of Alaskans live in poverty
According to the 2016 Housing Inventory Count (HIC), 15 of the 29 census areas in Alaska have no year-round emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, or permanent supportive housing facilities.
Housing Inventory & Cost of Living
Housing Inventory & Cost of Living
Housing Inventory & Cost of Living
Alaska needs an estimated 27,500 housing units over the next 10 years across the income spectrum.
Units needed (new and rehabilitated) by community:
- Kotzebue: 150 units
- Bethel: 500 units
- Mat-su: 7,000 units
- Anchorage: 7,000 units
- Kenai-Peninsula Borough: 1,500 units
- Sitka: 300 units
Hourly wage necessary to afford a 2 bedroom (BR) Fair Market Rate (FMR) in Alaska: $26.32
Salary needed to afford a 2BR FMR in Alaska: $55,740
Full-time jobs needed at minimum wage to afford a 2BR at FMR: 2.4
Source:
https://www.muni.org/Departments/health/HousingAndHomelessness/Pages/HousingServices.aspx
Data Matching with Local Health Care Systems
Data Matching with Local Health Care Systems
Data Matching with Local Health Care Systems
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) often use hospitals and emergency care at a much higher rate than others. We are working with hospitals and those working with PEH to connect their data systems. This will allow a view into someone's previous care, ensuring needless duplication of effort does not happen.
Long term this will improve health outcomes for PEH, and it will decrease unnecessary Medicaid spending.
Source: https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Homelessness-and-Health-Data-Sharing-Toolkit.pdf