Girdwood Homeless Population Doubles

By Brooks Chandler

TNews Contributor

There are more than 47 persons living in tents, trees, cars, trucks, trailers and campers on the street or in the woods of Girdwood, according to a local survey.  

A year earlier the number was 22.   

The 2024 “count” was conducted January 29 through in person interviews, Girdwood resident Linda Mankoff told the Girdwood Board of Supervisors at Monday's meeting.

Only  persons who volunteered their names were included.  

Mankoff, who is a patient assistance program coordinator at the Girdwood Health Clinic, coordinated local participation in conjunction with a nationwide homeless survey. 

She estimated another 20-25 unhoused residents declined to be counted.  

The official count will be reported to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development by the Clinic.  Based on the data, homeless Girdwoodians may qualify for federal assistance later in 2024.

Who are these people?  Ms. Mankoff said many are employed in the Valley—in the service industry and as young professionals. She said some of the working homeless told her market rate rents would consume 50 percent of their income.

Mankoff told GBOS many live with some fear of being forced to leave their “spot”.