Whether you are in imminent danger of becoming homeless or just need temporary assistance to get through a tough time, please view the assistance information below.
NATIONAL UNMET NEEDS PROGRAM
As the nation’s largest organization of combat veterans, we understand the challenges veterans, service members and military families can face and believe that experiencing financial difficulties should not be one of them. That’s the premise behind the VFW’s Unmet Needs program.
Unmet Needs is there to help America’s service members who have been deployed in the last six years and have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity. The program provides financial aid of up to $5,000 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant -not a loan- so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor directly.
Since the program’s inception, Unmet Needs has distributed over $5 million in assistance to qualified military families, with nearly half of those funds going directly toward basic housing needs.
The needs of our veterans, service members and their families should never go unmet. Let us offer you a hand up when you need it!
Please review the Unmet Needs eligibility criteria to see if you or someone you know qualifies for a grant through the Unmet Needs program.
If you’re eligible, APPLY TODAY.
Contact Unmet Needs at 1-866-789-6333 or by email at unmetneeds@vfw.org with any questions.
LOCAL POST ASSISTANCE
Post Relief Funds are in place to assist Service Members and Veterans in their respective communities. Please refer to the complete Alaska Post listing to find one in your area.
If you do not see a Post in your location, contact the one nearest to you.
Financial assistance is never guaranteed.
UNITED WAY
You can dial 2-1-1 from any phone to be connected with a United Way Specialist who will connect you with essential resources in your area.
You can also view these resources and obtain additional information at: http://www.alaska211.org/
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Homeless Prevention
The term “homeless” can conjure up images of people on the street; there because of addictions or mental illness. But being homeless is actually much closer to our realities than you may realize.
One or two paychecks can make the difference between keeping your home and losing it. A short term illness, a layoff or high utility bills can put some families in dire straights. Valley Charities uses grant funding and it’s network of organizations to help keep families in their homes where they belong.
If you find yourself in a situation where losing your home/residence is imminent, you can contact one of the agencies listed below to see if you qualify for assistance.
| Organization | Phone # | Location |
| Access Alaska | 907-357-2588 | Wasilla |
| Alaska Family Services | 907-746-6273 | Palmer |
| Blood-N-Fire Ministries | 907-864-0463 | Meadow Lakes |
| DayBreak, Inc. | 907-746-6019 | Palmer |
| Family Promise of Mat-Su | 907-357-6160 | Wasilla |
| Salvation Army of Mat-Su | 907-745-7079 | Palmer |
| Valley Charities, Inc | 907-354-4660 | Wasilla |
| MyHouse (Teens) | 907-373-4357 | Wasilla |
Homeless Prevention Program Services
Homeless Prevention Services actions taken to prevent persons who are in imminent danger of becoming homeless from losing their permanent residence. This may include payment of past due rent or mortgage; payment of delinquent heating fuel or electric/gas utility bills. In most situations deposits are not funded.
Housing Permanent Placement Services actions taken to assist homeless persons to obtain permanent housing by helping with first months rent. In most situations deposits are not funded.
Grant Funding Provided By
ACCESS ALASKA
http://accessalaska.org/
Life is what you make it. This is where you make it better.
People want the freedom to make decisions about their health, independence and lifestyles. Disability and age should not limit that freedom. We help Alaskans find information and access resources, advocate for change, hire personal care attendants, secure funding, training and services to lead the most independent, inclusive, productive, and satisfying lives possible.
About Access Alaska
Our Mission
Access Alaska is a private, non-profit, consumer-controlled organization that provides independent living services to people who experience a disability. As an Independent Living Center, our mission is to encourage and promote the total integration of people who experience a disability and Alaskan elders to live independently in the community of their choice. Through our assistance and support individuals with disabilities can identify and obtain needed services in an effort to maintain their independence as opposed to living in an institution.
Access Alaska was formed in 1983 to serve the Anchorage area. Services were later expanded in 1984 and 1998 when offices in were opened in Fairbanks and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
Anchorage
1217 East 10th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
Local: 907-248-4777
Toll Free: 800-770-4488
Fax: 907-263-1942
Video Phone: 907-268-5474
info@accessalaska.org
Mat-Su
1075 Check St, Suite 109
Wasilla, AK 99654
Local: 907-357-2588
Toll Free: 800-770-0228
Fax: 907-357-5585
info@accessalaska.org
Fairbanks
526 Gaffney Rd, Ste 100
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Local: 907-479-7940
Toll Free: 800-770-7940
Fax: 907-474-4052
Video Phone: 907-268-5475
info@accessalaska.org
Kenai
33880 Community College Dr
Soldotna, AK 99669
Local: 907-262-4955
Toll Free: 888-260-9336
Fax: 907-262-4936
info@accessalaska.org
Anchorage Coalition to END homelessness
http://anchoragehomeless.org/get-involved/project-homeless-connect/
Alaska Housing Grants: https://www.ahfc.us/files/9314/2135/7315/BHAP_Summary_011515.pdf
Project Homeless Connect is held once a year at the following locations: Anchorage, Kenai, Wasilla, Juneau
VA programs for Homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of homelessness (education, medical, employment and housing)
http://www.alaska.va.gov/services/homeless/index.asp#top
If you are a Veteran who has lost your home, VA can help you get back on your feet. Contact VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) to speak to a trained VA responder. The hotline and online chat are free and neither VA registration nor enrollment in VA healthcare is required to use either service.
When you call or join the online chat:
- You will be connected to a trained VA responder.
- The responder will ask a few questions to assess your needs.
- If you’re a Veteran, you may be connected with the Homeless Program point of contact at the nearest VA facility.
- Contact information will be requested so staff may follow up.
VA offers these services, all available via 1-877-4AID-VET, to homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of homelessness and their families:
Opportunities to return to employment
VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is comprised of three unique programs which assist homeless Veterans in returning to competitive employment: Sheltered Workshop, Transitional Work, and Supported Employment. Veterans in CWT are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher.
The Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program (HVSEP) provides vocational assistance, job development and placement, and ongoing supports to improve employment outcomes among homeless Veterans and Veterans at-risk of homelessness. Formerly homeless Veterans who have been trained as Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists (VRSs) provide these services.
Safe Housing
The Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides grants and per diem payments (as funding is available) to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate supportive housing and service centers for homeless Veterans. Learn more about the Grant Per Diem Program
HUD-VA Supportive Housing (VASH) Program is a joint effort between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA. HUD allocated nearly 38,000 “Housing Choice” Section 8 vouchers across the country. These vouchers allow Veterans and their families to live in market rate rental units while VA provides case management services. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord on behalf of the participating Veteran. The Veteran then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Learn more about the HUD-VASH Program.
The Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers Program makes all VA foreclosed properties available for sale to homeless provider organizations-at a 20 to 50 percent discount-to shelter homeless Veterans.
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program provides grants and technical assistance to community-based, nonprofit organizations to help Veterans and their families stay in their homes. Learn more about the SSVF program.
Health care
VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program offers outreach, exams, treatment, referrals, and case management to Veterans who are homeless and dealing with mental health issues, including substance use. At more than 135 HCHV sites, trained, caring VA specialists provide tools and support necessary for Veterans to get their lives on a better track. Call VA’s toll-free hotline or visit the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program page.
VA’s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (H-PACTs) Program provides a coordinated “medical home” specifically tailored to the needs of homeless Veterans that integrates clinical care with delivery of social services with enhanced access and community coordination. Implementation of this model is expected to address many of the health disparity and equity issues facing this population and result in reduced emergency department use and hospitalizations, improved chronic disease management, improved “housing readiness” with fewer Veterans returning to homelessness once housed. Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (H-PACTs) Program
VA’s Homeless Veterans Dental Program provides dental treatment for eligible Veterans in a number of programs: Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment, VA Grant and Per Diem, Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (contract bed), and Community Residential Care. VA is working to expand dental care to all eligible Veterans within this program. Homeless Veterans Dental Program
Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) brings together providers, advocates, and other concerned citizens to identify the needs of homeless Veterans and work to meet those needs through planning and cooperative action. This process has helped build thousands of relationships between VA and community agencies so that together they can better serve homeless Veterans. For more information on Project CHALENG, call VA’s toll-free hotline or visit the Project CHALENG web page.
Mental health services
Veteran Justice Outreach provides eligible, justice-involved Veterans with timely access to VA’s mental health and substance use services when clinically indicated, and other VA services and benefits as appropriate.
VA’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Enhancement Initiative provides substance use services in the community to aid homeless Veterans’ recovery.
The Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans Program helps incarcerated Veterans successfully rejoin the community through supports including those addressing mental health and substance use problems.
The Readjustment Counseling Service’s Vet Center Programs feature community-based locations and outreach activities that help to identify homeless Veterans and match homeless Veterans with necessary services.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND SERVICES
Abused Womens Aid in Crisis AWAIC, 100 W. 13th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99523
907-279-9581
Emergency Shelter Domestic Violence Victims Only
American Red Cross of Alaska, 235 E 8th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-646-5400
Emergency Shelter – Suite 200
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, 2823 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
907-563-5603
Emergency Shelter Men Only
Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services, 480 West Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503
907-677-8490
Emergency Shelter Family Day Only
Ascent Russian Orphan Aid Foundation, 10421 Thimble Berry Drive, Anchorage, AK 99515
415-367-3500
Children & Youth
Beans Cafe, 1101 East 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99510
907-274-9595
Emergency Shelter
Brother Francis Shelter, 1021 E. 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99523
907-277-1731
Emergency Shelter
Clare House, 420 W. 54th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-536-4545
Pregnant women and women with children
Covenant House, 609 F Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-272-1255
Teens only
Crossover House Homeless Project, 1000 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-258-4512
mentaly ill homeless people in Anchorage
Downtown Soup Kitchen, 430 East Fourth Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-277-4302
Children
Fairbanks Rescue Mission, 723 27th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701
907-452-5343
Overnight shelter for men and women
Habitat for Humanity, 500 W. Intl. Airport Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518
(907) 272-0800
Emergency Shelter – Suite E
Nome Rescue Mission, 277 Front Street, Nome, AK 99762
907-443-7128
Emergency Shelter
Salvation Army McKinnel Shelter, 564 E. 15th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-276-1609
Two parent families and single men with children
South Central Counseling Center Crossover House, 610 E 5TH Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907-274-0352
Emergency Shelter
Valley Womens Resource Center, 403 S Alaska Street, Palmer, AK 99645
907-746-4080
Women Only
Anchorage rescue, 2823 E. Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
(907) 563-5603
Emergency Shelter
Oxford House – Anchorage, 3550 Cottonwood Street, Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 222-3848
Men
Oxford House – Denali, 6414 Tolhurst Court, Anchorage, AK 99504
(907) 333-0807
Men
Oxford House -Jefferson, 3291 Jefferson Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 479-2171
Men
Oxford House – Lake Lucille, 1160 W.Lake Lucille Dr., Wasilla, Ak. 99654
Oxford House -Mt. McKinley, 1018 22nd Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 479-0450
Women
Oxford House – Northern Lights, 538 South Klevin Street, Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 743-1993
Men
Oxford House – Yukon, 2721 Juneau Street, Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 272-2298
Men