ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) — Last week, 32 tiny homes located behind municipal buildings near Tudor and Elmore Roads welcomed their first residents. The new community, called Willow Commons, is designed as a treatment center for individuals experiencing homelessness who are also dealing with substance abuse or mental health challenges.
“This isn’t just housing,” said Thea Agnew Bemben, special assistant to Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “It’s not an independent housing development, and it’s not a shelter. It’s a treatment program focused on helping those who are working on recovery from addiction or mental health issues.”
The start-up costs for Willow Commons are primarily funded by $500,000 from a settlement fund related to opioid lawsuits…