During Tuesday’s meeting, the Anchorage Assembly approved homeless shelter contracts totaling over $18 million, funding both an existing and a new shelter. MASH Property Management LLC, owned by former Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, received the largest contract, worth approximately $11 million.
This funding will support a new shelter located at 1911 East 5th Avenue in a rented facility previously serving as a church and a strip club. Henning Inc., a seasoned operator managing several municipal shelters, received the second contract, valued at roughly $7.1 million.
That contract transfers management of the existing Col Weather Shelter on 56th Avenue from Catholic Social Services to Henning Inc. Henning’s Director of Strategy, Alexis Johnson, emphasized the organization’s commitment to people living unsheltered.
She said Henning plans to maintain flexibility in the number of shelter beds based on available space and administrative support. The Cold Weather Shelter currently holds around 200 individuals, though the Assembly reduced the official capacity to 100 beds due to structural issues that needed repairs.
Johnson said the facility could accommodate more people if the administration issues an emergency order. Catholic Social Services will end its contract for the 56th Avenue shelter on August 31, 2025.
The decision to step back led Henning to apply for the new contract and take over operations. Henning was also used for the new shelter site, but the administration selected MASH for the East 5th Avenue location. The new shelter will offer space for 100 beds, though several Assembly members raised concerns about the site’s location.
