Anchorage’s Tiny Homes Provide Stability for Homeless Seniors

A new tiny home initiative in Anchorage is providing homeless seniors with a safe and stable place to live. Located in the parking lot of Central Lutheran Church, the six-home community is operated by the nonprofit In Our Backyard and serves as transitional housing for seniors who previously had no permanent residence.

A New Start for Homeless Seniors

The tiny homes are designed to offer stability, dignity, and privacy for residents as they work toward permanent housing. Currently, three individuals and a dog have moved into the homes, with residents expressing relief at having a private, secure space. One resident, Mark Henderstein, shared how grateful he was to have a place where he could lock his door and feel safe.

“We all deserve some basic level of dignity, right? And when we are afforded that, there’s no excuse not to thrive,” said another resident.

Community Support and Challenges

The program has received strong community backing, with donations of food, blankets, and household supplies. Fairview Community Council President James Thornton noted that the neighborhood has not received complaints and supports the project’s mission.

However, the initiative has not been without challenges. The first three residents were asked to leave after struggling to follow program rules and were transitioned to emergency winter shelters. Despite this, Board President Julie Greene-Graham remains optimistic, emphasizing the positive changes seen in current residents.

Flexible Housing Support

Residents are expected to stay for six to nine months while they work with case managers—currently the only paid staff in the program—to secure permanent housing. Given the limited availability of affordable housing, the timeline may be extended to ensure stability for participants.

Greene-Graham sees success in the small but meaningful improvements residents have made. “They’re already being more responsible; they’re already taking care of themselves better than they were before. They have hope, and I think that’s huge,” she said.

This project demonstrates how small-scale, community-driven solutions can provide a pathway out of homelessness while preserving dignity and security for vulnerable individuals.

For more details, refer to the original article on Alaska’s News Source.