ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson gained national attention this summer when he proposed buying one-way airfare out of Alaska's largest city for anyone without housing who wanted to leave before winter. The Anchorage Assembly just approved $4 million in funds and will vote on additional elements of an emergency plan next week. Anchorage last winter had a record 24 deaths outdoors among the homeless population, with 11 fatalities occurring in the winter months between October 2022 and April 2023, said Alexis Johnson, the city's homeless director. The city recently brought four more housing facilities, which could create space for another 310 people, but is still seeking winter housing for an estimated 400 to 450 people. By renting hotel rooms, Johnson hopes to limit the capacity of a mass winter homeless shelter to no more than 150 people — one of the Assembly's stipulations when releasing the emergency funds.

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Persons: Dave Bronson, —, ”, Scott Gibson, Alexis Johnson, Johnson, Felix Rivera, Rivera, Bronson, “ I’m, ” Bronson, Greg Smith, Smith Organizations: — Anchorage, Alaska's, Land Trust, Sullivan Locations: ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Alaska's, Anchorage, Cook, California, Hawaii, Anchorage’s