Providence, community partners open permanent supportive housing, recuperative care facility

Q’et’en Qenq’a - Providence House to provide housing for people aged 55 and older experiencing homelessness

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Providence Alaska and community partners opened Q’et’en Qenq’a - Providence House during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tues., July 23, at the new facility located at 4840 Eagle St. in Anchorage. 

Q’et’en Qenq’a - Providence House is a supportive housing and recuperative care (SHARC) facility in Midtown Anchorage for people ages 55 and older experiencing homelessness. The facility includes 45 permanent supportive housing units and six recuperative care units. On-site wraparound services will be provided by Southcentral Foundation in collaboration with partnering agencies. Recuperative care units are for people experiencing homelessness who are discharged from Providence Alaska Medical Center. 

Named “Elder’s House” in the Dena’ina language, Q’et’en Qenq’a (pronounced cut-un kunk-ah) honors the traditional homelands of the Dena'ina people and exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration to address major community needs. 

“This facility is an example of our community's collective effort to tackle the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in Anchorage,” said Ella Goss, MSN, RN, chief executive of Providence Alaska. “At Providence, our Mission is to serve all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. A safe place to call home is an important step in improving the health and well-being of Alaskans.”

 All apartments at Q’et’en Qenq’a - Providence House are open floor plan studios with private bathrooms and kitchens. Apartments will be furnished with a bed, chair and small table. Residents in the 45 permanent supportive housing studio apartments will be encouraged but not required to access on-site supportive services provided by Southcentral Foundation. Services are offered free of charge and include:

 Individualized case management

• Bridging support to mental and behavioral health services and care such as assessment, crisis counseling, individual and group therapy, and peer support groups
• Services and coordination of care for persons with co-occurring mental and physical disabilities or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders
• Assistance in accessing benefits and community support
• Support to access primary care including medical, dental, medication management and wellness
• Programming designed to support successful tenancy
• Peer support and socialization activities
• Basic housing retention skills, such as unit maintenance and upkeep, cooking, laundry, working with a landlord, getting along with neighbors and money management
• Connection to education or employment services and assessments
• Obtaining access to legal, nutrition or clothing services and resources

The recuperative care units are designed for long-term recovery needs based on hospital recommendation. Guests in the recuperative care apartments will have access to all the services above and receive follow-up health care services designed to help them stabilize in preparation for permanent supportive housing.

While recuperative care isn’t a licensed medical facility, participants staying in these units will be connected with a primary care provider who delivers ongoing care and can order skilled home health providers as needed during recovery. These units are leased by Providence Alaska Medical Center and at no cost to people who are receiving care.  

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