NIMBY, Not in My Backyard.
These angry words have created barriers for those needing help finding safe housing and obtaining other basic needs.
Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage reframed NIMBY and created a nonprofit organization, In Our Backyard (IOB). The mission is to provide safe, interim homes and connections to support services for our unhoused senior neighbors as they work to obtain permanent homes.
In Our Backyard Board Chair Julie Green-Graham shared, “Each time the Sullivan Arena closed, members of Central Lutheran Church asked, how we can help? Being proactive by having discussions with Fairview neighbors and other groups and by research, the idea of small transitional homes on Central Lutheran property grew into In Our Backyard.”
Central Lutheran’s midtown location and proximity to public transit, medical offices, the Anchorage Senior Center, and other social services make it the ideal location for a transitional housing facility for our unhoused seniors.
Why seniors? According to May statistics from the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, 314 people met our occupant age criteria of 50 or older. The occupants must be willing to work with a case manager and able to live independently. They may be singles or couples. We have been told that we could be at capacity within an hour of starting the selection process.
IOB will build a secure community of six interim homes on Central Lutheran Church’s property at 15th and Cordova. The sizes of the homes will be four 8’ x 8’ and two 8’ x 12’. In addition, a four-season bathroom/shower trailer will be on site. Security will be provided.
Julie said, “Although this project is small, it is like dropping a pebble in water. We are hopeful the ripple effect will inspire others to replicate it in Anchorage and throughout the state.”
Faith-based organizations, community groups, businesses and individuals are supporting us. Funding is coming from grassroots efforts, foundations, and grants. The architect, electrical engineer, structural engineer, and project manager are donating their time to guide us.
As the homes are occupied, we will focus on helping our new neighbors feel welcomed and valued. Volunteers will provide a community support network and interact in various ways to help the occupants settle in. Along with creating a sense of community, we will help by providing daily hot meals, arranging transportation, making laundry services accessible, and assisting with other needs. One of the occupants will serve on the IOB board.
Want to learn more or want to help? Visit our website: https://inourbackyard-ak.org.
Betty Hertz is an In Our Backyard board member.
