The Anchorage Assembly has approved a measure to set up a pilot campground for up to 60 homeless residents. But it's not yet clear whether the city has the time, staff and money to create the camp by the end of summer.
An Anchorage Parks and Recreation worker hauls away garbage from an encampment on a vacant lot near Cuddy Family Midtown Park on May 9, 2023. In June, the city cleared most campers out. Now, the lot is potential site for a pilot campground for up to 60 homeless residents.
Opponents say the time and money going into the pilot will come at the expense of winter shelter planning and long-term housing. Assembly member Meg Zaletel, who is also the head of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness and sat out the vote because of the conflict of interest, was the most vocal opponent on Tuesday.
“I think there is one key component that’s missing, and that’s funding. How do we set up a camp with no money?” she said.Johnson said working on the campground will impact her division’s planning for winter shelter. The Assembly passed a resolution last monthat a city-owned vacant lot at 40th Avenue and Denali Street, near Cuddy Family Midtown Park. But the ordinance the Assembly passed Tuesday leaves the location up to Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration.
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