Anchorage outreach helps homeless regain vital IDs lost on streets

People experiencing homelessness in Anchorage often lose or have their vital documents stolen, making it difficult to access services.

Mike Hill, an outreach specialist with the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, works with unsheltered individuals at local spots including near the Circle K gas station at 36th Avenue and C Street, and Davis Park in Mountain View, to help them recover state IDs, Social Security cards, and other essential paperwork.

Hill describes this effort as part of 'housing readiness,' which is necessary for securing apartments or hotels that require proof of identity.

The process involves using technology such as tablets with wireless connections to assist homeless residents in regaining their official documents, which are often lost due to the challenges of carrying and safeguarding paperwork on the streets.