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161 of the 355 Homeless People Surveyed in Anchorage Are the Most VulnerableA new survey is putting a face on the problem of chronic homelessness in our community and identifying those who are most vulnerable.Related Content
A new survey is putting a face on the problem of chronic homelessness in our community and identifying those who are most vulnerable.
Volunteers fanned out across Anchorage in the early morning hours to find homeless residents in camps, shelters, and even hospitals. They interviewed more than 300 people and found that 161 of them are at the highest risk of dying on the streets. The survey painted a portrait of those considered chronically homeless in Anchorage: -Most have lived on the streets for over five years -Overwhelmingly male -Aged 25 to 54 -48%Native -33% White -10% African-American The majority had substance abuse and health problems associated with being homeless. Researchers found that chronic homelessness leads to an early death. The average lifespan for a homeless person is right around 55 years old. The emergency room is the most popular form of health care for the homeless with hundreds of visits documented in just the last three months. Researchers say one of the problems with the homeless is that they live in an environment where they can literally never get well. “You know when you go to the doctor and the doctor says for you to stay warm and dry, to stay in bed and rest?” says Anchorage Homeless Coalition leader Corinne O’Neill. “Well that never happens to people on the street so they are unable to do the preventative care they need to keep them well.” O’Neill and others believe that housing and the support services that must go with it are the first steps to saving lives and money, since the chronically homeless use a disproportionate share of public resources. She says local social services agencies will target the most vulnerable and try to get them into permanent housing. |
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odins child said on Friday, Sep 16 at 9:33 PM
I would suggest handing out the book might is right by ragnar redbeard for them all to read. survival of the fittest is best for society as a whole.
73949194Anonymous said on Friday, Sep 16 at 10:18 PM
remember the united states goverment did THIS!!! JOBS WILL FIX EVERYTHING!!!!!! VOTE OUT THE GARBAGE!!!! no more dems or reps!!!
73950034Shane J. Filomena said on Friday, Sep 16 at 11:21 PM
The interesting part of the comments is that those against helping people do not believe it can happen to them : Survival of the fittest, If that was ever the case for Humanity, we know a few million idealists that would not be here in spring. The problem is not the homeless, the problem is not " how do you deal with them?" the Problem is attempting to ignore a situation generated by the same kind of people who like to say " survival of the fittest" from over their fat bellies and resource wasting lives. it is not the government's place to "deal with " the homeless, it is the place of society as a whole: in some areas ( obviously not Alaska- the east coast )businesses make it a point to sponsor help for homeless because if they are off the streets, it's good for business. If they are not on the corners freezing as you pass by: you do not want to wonder if they were run off by cops..you want to KNOW they had a place to go to stay warm.but,survival of the fittest, rock on, Alaska.
73951058odins child said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 12:24 AM
and how did the mindset of the "survival of the fittest" forward thinking folks of society generate the homeless problem? or do you just like to throw that out there as if it is a fact? it is not up to society as a whole to take care of those unwilling to take care of themselves. that kind of thinking is part of the problem, not the solution. Alaska is a harsh and unforgiving land those who survive here do it on their own and sometimes even that is no guarantee you will make it out alive.homeless dregs need to realize the reality and deal with it however they can. moving south or setting up a camp in shane filomena's yard is a choice they have.
73951694Moi said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 1:08 AM
All of you gutless %!%!W@ that have no humanity left inside of you--remember that you could one day end up down in the shelter. You challeneged the universe with your BS, and karma will come back and get you...
73952072for MOI said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 2:39 AM
FINALLY I SEE A PERSON THAT ALSO THINKS PEOPLE HAVE NO COMPASSION FOR OTHER HUMANS. Odin's child, why don't you go and preach to the homeless and tell them to do just that, or beat them like all these COWARD KIDS I see on the news all the time.
73953108Jae-Ann said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 8:11 AM
Yes we could be that way but Thank God We have each other, I see families coming together and helping one another, its not that I have no compassion for you, I don't care what you think I have compassion only for my family because they have it for me I'm not all that trusting and the way you call each other names or imply names my compassion is well placed
73961919compuuuter said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 8:39 AM
is it just my compuuuter :) or is it ktva, i was at bean's but since i was working i missed most of the live q/a's and the news thingy stops about 20sec into the article. i :) U MIKE & MARIA, and "bandanna BOB".
73962744James said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 10:59 AM
If you are or you think your christian, there would not be too many homeless people. Have any one ever thought about what Jesus instructed his apostles before He left them? LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. Does homeless people have place in this? Of course, they are your neighbors. Remember, there will be an everlasting reward for those who are compassionate. Be an unsung hero and show mercy to the ons who need it most. You may have love, be rich and have all materials needs of this world but if you don't have love, even to one person, those you have will not, what everyone calls, be not eligible for unseen prizes. So, pray constantly so that the world riches may not ruin your life in the next and show your love to the world.
73966087Qanertua said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 12:39 PM
We don't have homeless people in our villages. But I see every big city has homeless people. I know each homeless person is trying to survive in their own way. Helping doesn't hurt.
73968681adavis said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 12:43 PM
None of this was unknown. The ER departments of all the hospitals have known all of these things all along. But hatred of the poor is strong, alive, and well in Alaska. Never mind how people ended up poor. The only reason anyone is paying attention to this is because a national study called for the info.
73968782I Barrie said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 3:08 PM
How much are we spending on the endless handholding..layers of non profits. Someone recently figured is cost $3400 per month at Bro Francis for a sponge pad/beding and a concrete slab per month.. This would get yor a room at the Hilton incl room service?? We need to think smarter. Give those that want out of Alaska a plane ticket and some money. The rest can go back to family in the outside of Anchorage. Give them a Transportation.. tickets /transportation and spending money... Warm sunny weather would make a big difference. Alaska is a tough tough place...some of these guys are trapped. So...stop with the room & board hand holding/surveys... .Give them a new window on the world &perspective. The deal is transport assistance...oneway.
73972411The AntiTheist said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 5:13 PM
I hope you give these people money, and that dollar is the dollar they use to buy alcohol, get drunk and pass out in the snow and die. The easiest way to fix the problem is to not support it.
73975624WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? said on Sunday, Sep 18 at 6:40 AM
Seems that there are more and more vagrants than ever before. While I have a heart to help people, most of these seem to be alcoholics, drug users or just plain lazy.They all come from somewhere. Let them go back to somewhere. Why do we have to help support them with their habits? There are churches, soup kitchens, & other places they can get help IF THEY REALLLY WANTED IT!Most love the ole hand out routine, for cigaretts and booze. QUIT coddling them.Send them to the White HOuse and let Obumo support them with his great recovery proggram he is always singing about. He has all our money!!!
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