Housing

There are moments when James Knudson forgets his younger brother, John Knudson, is dead.

“We put in a lot of time, effort, money, blood, sweat, tears into this project and it’s very disappointing, very disappointing,” said St. Vincent de Paul’s Dan Austin.

James O’Connell refers to himself as a “street doctor.” Since 1985, he has cared for homeless patients, sometimes making visits on park benches or in alleys. His memoir is Stories from the Shadows.

“It would include a small, contemporary boutique hotel, high-rise condominiums, long-term apartment rentals, a restaurant and lounge” and more, said Jason Clifton.

In Atlanta’s East Lake community, an organization called Purpose Built Communities is trying to make gentrification work for the residents who endured the tough times.

Tenants have already started moving into the 18-unit Susitna Square in East Anchorage.

“It really helps to have good manners because we are waking people up. The interviewers ask folks very intrusive questions about their income levels, about their history, about demographic factors, health,” said Mariya Lovishchuk.

The Juneau Assembly wants to draft ordinances creating new property tax breaks that incentivize denser development and redevelopment of blighted properties.

People don’t usually plan to experience homelessness; life just takes unexpected turns. But for some guests of the Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage, like Michael Hindman, the experience leaves them with more hope than anything else.

In San Bernardino County, nearly a tenth of public school students are homeless. For many, that means lives in run-down motels — and coping with troubling conditions long before they get to class.