Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) will be expanding their Housing First program to better meet the needs of Interior’s homeless population. Housing First is an innovative supportive housing program that provides housing regardless of a person’s substance use problems. It is a program that is used across the nation and has demonstrated that it is much easier for people to work on issues, such as alcohol misuse, when they have stable housing.
Since its opening in 2012, the Housing First program has been successful in providing safe housing for the vulnerable homeless population in Fairbanks. Currently, there are 300 people on the waitlist for Housing First but only 39 rooms are available for rent. The expansion will take over rooms in the Willow House, previously a patient hotel owned by TCC, which is located in the same building as Housing First – which will increase room availability to 76 rooms.
“Here at TCC we believe in treating everyone with kindness and empathy – this includes our vulnerable homeless population,” said Chief/Chairman Brian Ridley, “For many, sobriety is difficult to achieve without the stability of basic needs – including housing. The expansion of Housing First will have a positive impact on the lives of those in our community and we are proud to be able to provide that support.”
The Willow House will house their last patient on May 3, 2023. Moving forward, patients of TCC who are in Fairbanks to receive services will be able to utilize the Bertha Moses Patient Hostel (BMPH). BMPH was recently remodeled to provide a comfortable and convenient location for patients and end of life housing that is within walking distance of both the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center and the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Additionally, TCC is working with several hotels in Fairbanks to offer alternative room options for patients. TCC’s Patient Travel team will be working closely with patients to ensure that they have a place to stay when travelling to Fairbanks for medical care.