A shelter that serves women and children here in Anchorage got a much-needed boost on Monday when workers learned they were to receive a community development block
grant of $750,000. The money will go to Catholic Social Services for the Clare House, a homeless shelter. Officials say it will go a long way toward their goal of buying a bigger building for the shelter to move in to. The shelter has served Anchorage since 1984 but officials say Clare House has become old and crowded. On top of that, shelter residents are staying much longer than ever before, leaving a waiting list that can run to 80 people at times. Catholic Social Services hopes to buy a hotel in Spenard and convert it into a new shelter. The Eagle’s Nest Hotel has space for about 100 women and children and would also offer space for what is called “transitional housing” where families could stay for up to two years. Susan Bomalaski, executive director at CSS, says it will cost about $2.5 million to purchase and renovate the hotel. She says the grant puts them very near to that goal. The plan is to purchase the building and start renovations this winter so that the first residents might move in as early as next summer.
