Catholic Social Services provides many services to the community. Some of the most commonly sought programs for individuals or families not already engaged with our services are: emergency shelters, housing case management, and food pantry services. Please note that each of these programs have different entry points, which are described below. For information about these services, click the relevant heading below.
Please note that many of our programs are often operating at full capacity. If we are unable to serve you at the current moment, we will contact you to let you know.
Emergency Shelter
Housing Case Management
Food Pantry Services
The United Way of Anchorage operates a support line that can be reached by calling 211 on a mobile or landline phone from 8:30- 5:30 Monday through Friday. They are the only current resource to provide immediate referrals across the community for finding help in Anchorage. A description of their services can be found on their website here: https://alaska211.org/.
Many non-profit organizations and government entities received federal funding through the CARES act or ARPA to support individuals and families in remaining in their homes during the pandemic through financial assistance with rent and utilities. Most of these programs have ceased taking new enrollments in line with the federal guidance. CSS is not currently enrolling members of the public in rental assistance programs. You may read more about Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s rental assistance programs on their website.
Emergency Shelters
Brother Francis Shelter
A voluntary emergency shelter for homeless men and women, 18 years of age and older, with a capacity for 120 guests.
Location: 1021 E 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Hours: 24 hours/day, 365 days/year
Phone: 907-277-1731 (front desk)
To inquire about a bed, call 907-277-1731. New beds open up daily at noon, based on availability.
For admission into the shelter, the following criteria must be met:
- At least 18 years of age
- Currently Experiencing Housing Insecurity or Homelessness
- Not a danger to themselves or others
- Able to independently provide self-care (e.g., the ability to get up and down off the beds, shower, use the restroom and dress independently)
- Free of highly contagious medical conditions (e.g., Tuberculosis, ringworm, chicken pox, whooping cough, measles, COVID-19)
- Able to comply with shelter policies and procedures
To learn more about Brother Francis Shelter, please visit this webpage.
Clare House
A voluntary emergency shelter for women with children and expectant mothers with 11 rooms of emergency shelter and 12 rooms dedicated to progressive housing.
Location: 4110 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517
Hours: 24 hours/day, 365 days/year
Phone: 907-563-4545 (front desk) ext. 100 or ext. 101
For admission into the shelter, the following criteria must be met:
- Family must be homeless – preference is given to
applicants sleeping in a car, camp, or on the street - Female head of household must be 18 years of age or
older with:- a child or children under the age of 18
- a dependent adult child up to the age of 21
(proof of guardianship is required) - a pregnancy
- Able to provide proof of guardianship for children in your
care - Able to provide picture identification
- May not be a registered sex offender in any state
To learn more about Clare House, please visit this webpage.
Complex Care
Location: 303 West Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503
Hours: 24 hours/day, 365 days/year
For admission into the shelter, the following criteria must be met:
Complex Care accepts referrals from partners working within the Anchorage Homelessness Response System or healthcare partners. If your organization is interested in making referrals to Complex Care please contact the Director of the Complex Care Shelter
Jessie Talivaa, Program Director
907-764-1371, jtalivaa@cssalaska.org
To learn more about the Complex Care Shelter, please visit this webpage.
Case Management
Housing Case Management for Families and Individuals
Access to Case Management at Catholic Social Services is available through coordinated entry. Coordinated entry is a community initiative designed as a mechanism that supports equitable and fair access to supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Individuals experiencing homelessness may receive a referral to coordinated entry by calling 211, or visiting the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness’ website and contacting a Coordinated Entry provider.
Community-Based Case Management
Basic eligibility requirements:
- Family with dependents
- Unsheltered
- Desire and willingness to work on a service plan to increase self-sufficiency
Anchorage Location: 4600 Debarr Road
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm (or by appointment)
If you are interested in accessing case management services, please click the button below:
3rd Avenue Resource & Navigation Center
3rd Avenue Resource & Navigation Center is a place for adults experiencing homelessness to access a full range of services, from short-term needs like a shower or a phone charge, to long-term engagement like case management and employment support. Along with CSS staff, other partner service providers work alongside us and share the facility, so a client at the center can meet with case managers, housing coordinators, or employment specialists all in one location. Click here to view the weekly schedule of service providers.
Basic eligibility requirements:
- Adult experiencing homelessness
Anchorage Location: 1101 E 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm
Bus: Route 20, 3rd Avenue & Post
Phone: 907-222-7388
Case Management for Veterans Experiencing Housing Insecurity
CSS offers additional supportive services provided by a grant through the Veterans Administration for Veterans living in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley.
Basic eligibility requirements:
- A Veteran, or member of a Veteran household in which the Head of Household is a Veteran (*Veteran must have an other-than dishonorable discharge)
- Very low income (below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI))
- Currently homeless or expecting to become homeless (eviction notice)
Learn more about Veteran Services.
Mat-Su Office: Ph: 907-376-1300
Anchorage Office: Ph: 907-222-7331
Emergency Food
Location: 3710 East 20th St.
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The food pantry is operated as a drive through pantry, vehicles line up at the northeast corner of the building (along east 20th), following signage in the parking lot. Clients without vehicles can simply walk to the front of the line, where a table is set up adjacent to the line of cars. Pedestrian clients are always served first. A helpful landmark to look for is an external building on the far east side of the parking lot, which has a mural marking the St. Francis House food pantry.
Phone: 907-222-7353
When coming to the Saint Francis House Food Pantry you should bring the following items:
- Reusable Shopping bags (optional)
- 30 minutes of free time
- ID’s are preferred but not required
Forms
Saint Francis House Food Pantry Application
- For information on food pantries in other locations or with different hours, please visit the Food Bank of Alaska’s website.
Other Services
Family Disability Services
Respite Services for families with disabilities
Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services
Services for Refugees
Program Participant Rights & Responsibilities
While at Catholic Social Services or any of its programs, you have the right to:
- Receive confidential services
- Review your case record, except those protected by law
- Request a change to your case record
- Ask questions about any service or procedure
- Receive services and information in a manner that honors your language, culture, and individuality
- Receive an explanation of what services you can expect to receive
- Know the requirements for receiving services
- Make a complaint about the services you receive
- Receive services in a fair, respectful manner
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Be protected from abuse, harassment, and exploitation
- Review and comment about your rights
- Refuse service
- Receive information about consequences of refusing service
While at Catholic Social Services or any of its programs, program participants are responsible to:
- Communicate openly, honestly, in a respectful manner
- Use internal complaint systems to resolve complaints
- Show respect for other program participants, staff, and volunteers
- Report wrongdoing and fraud appropriately
- Advocate for yourself and your family
- Follow program guidelines
- Let us know if you don’t understand what is being asked of you