Public Testimony Given on Proposed Housing for Mentally Ill

Opinions heard on both sides regarding transformation of Long House Hotel

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Jan 30, 2013 at 6:36 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 30, 2013 at 6:36 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - There was another step in the process today that could transform a Spenard Hotel into long term housing for the mentally ill. Members of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board took public testimony on the Long House Project.

The plan is to convert the hotel into supervised apartments for up to fifty mentally ill adults. Both the Spenard and Turnagain Community Councils have expressed concern over the proposal and questioned the location of the project in a residential neighborhood.

But supporters of the project say its location is a key part of helping people with severe mental illness fit into society.

“It’s about a sense of belonging,” said John Sperbeck, of Anchorage Mental Health Services, the group that wants to buy the hotel and transform it into apartments. “If you feel like you are an outcast or you are stigmatized, then you don’t feel like you are part of the community, and that's really what we are trying to avoid.”

Sperbeck says his agency currently helps house up to 200 people in locations all over town and that placing them in a single building will give them better access to services.

Testimony today was mixed, but Sperback promised to keep information flowing to community members, and that at least one other public hearing will be held. He said the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board has not yet made a final decision on whether to fund the Long House Project.

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Jow said on Wednesday, Jan 30 at 9:07 PM

Your Assie Lady broadcaster needs a little speech therapy in american english so we can understand her. We like channel 11 but only if we can understand the language. thanks

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peter said on Wednesday, Jan 30 at 9:32 PM

This is a commercial property, yes? It is suited to have people living there, yes? Let them do what they want. Remember, most residential properties abut commercial properties. This NIMBY thinking is exactly why there is little to no help for those who need it. Suck it up folks, and do the right thing.

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Spenardo said on Thursday, Jan 31 at 7:26 AM

So the city is putting Karluk Manor in Mountain View, Long House in Spenard. Good enough, our neighborhoods are pretty elastic and tolerant, which is a rare virtue in Anchorage. BUT...When are they going to put one on Hillside or in South Anchorage or off the east end of Diamond, or maybe up by Prevo's Fantascinatin' White Bread Baptist Church and Mall on Northern Lights? There are big, empty houses in all those neighborhoods that would be just dandy "rehabilitative" facilities, and certainly the intended residents could benefit from living among such stellar examples of Anchorage's economic success and privilege. In short, this looks a lot like some kind of official redlining to me.

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