Housing

Usually in the summer, there’s a drop in demand for services for people experiencing homelessness. But local housing providers say that hasn’t happened this year. 

The Juneau Assembly is nearing the end of its annual budget process with a notably brighter outlook than the one it started with. 

The City and Borough of Juneau and its partners will have mobile testing tents in the parking lot of the Juneau Arts and Culture Center this week.

Juneau’s new, 20-tent campground isn’t for recreation. It replaces a campground with a checkered history that’s been one piece of the city’s efforts to give shelter to people without homes.

A temporary 24-hour homeless shelter that was set up at Ketchikan’s recreation center is slated to close nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. The move is drawing criticism from homeless advocates.

The emergency appropriation sets aside money from Juneau’s affordable housing fund for residents who have been laid off or are unable to work due to COVID-19.

The city extended the cold weather shelter’s contract for three more months this week and plans to open its new campground Tuesday. 

The Juneau Docks and Harbors Board voted to refund, defer and reduce certain fees. They also suspended vessel impounds for live-aboards who can’t make rent.

The Glory Hall’s director said she hopes serving meals outside is a temporary solution to keeping people safe. She has reached out to the city to ask for a larger indoor space.

With the shelter typically open overnight from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and other public buildings closed, many homeless community members have nowhere else to go.