As people approach age 65, we hope they are thinking about retirement, Social Security benefits and how they want to spend the next chapter of life, not where they are going to lay their head. Yet in Anchorage, 361 of our neighbors age 65 and older experienced homelessness last year. And many others faced the scary prospect of being without a safe, stable place to live.
The good news? The number dropped by more than 20% between 2023 and 2025. Our community also has been expanding resources for those 55 and older, such as the In Our Backyard transitional housing program and Q’et’en Qenq’a—Providence House, permanent supportive housing for those who have been homeless.
The loss of housing later in life can happen more easily than many of us realize. For someone on a fixed income, there isn’t always much room when the status quo is disrupted. Rent goes up. A partner dies, leading to a loss of their income. An unexpected car repair wipes out savings. Poor health may mean they can’t keep the same job, or any job. Finding an affordable place can seem impossible.
And there is another number we should pay attention to. In 2025, 807 Anchorage residents between the ages of 55 and 64 experienced homelessness. They are approaching retirement age without a stable home.
At the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, we spend a lot of time thinking about what happens after someone becomes homeless—how people get connected to shelter, services and ultimately, housing. But with older adults, we need to ask an earlier question: What could have kept this person housed in the first place?
Not long ago, we helped a community member whose apartment building was condemned. She was on a tight budget and had to scramble for a new place. We helped her find a more affordable apartment, and she secured an Alaska Mental health Trust Authority mini-grant to cover the security deposit and first month’s rent.
Answers must be tailored to the person. Some need rental assistance. Some need help finding an appropriate and affordable apartment. Some need help navigating benefits or support after the loss of a spouse.
Be aware of risk factors for older adults. Is someone you know choosing between groceries and prescriptions? Are bills piling up? Look to your local Aging & Disability Resource Center or call 2-1-1 for help.
Anyone who wants to help directly can do so at the upcoming Project Homeless Connect, our community’s largest resource fair for individuals experiencing homelessness. The event is set for Oct. 26 at the Egan Center. You can sign up to volunteer at aceh.org/phc.
When things go wrong, there should be somewhere to turn so that no one loses their housing. The older Anchorage residents who experienced homelessness last year remind us we aren’t there yet.
Jessica Parks is interim executive director for the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness.
