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In the fall of 2023, Nome Community Center opened the doors to HomePlate Apartments, a specialized facility for addressing chronic homelessness. The project follows the “housing first” approach, which prioritizes permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness.
The new building on the north side of Nome has 15 units, with each room having a twin bed, small kitchen and private bathroom. Residents have access to on-site laundry, a community space and in-house staff support.
“There's a high demand for this program. I get calls every day of someone looking for housing in Nome,” HomePlate’s Manager, Ida Booshu, said.
The data backs Booshu up. A 2025 study by the City of Nome found that housing was the top response to the question, “What one thing in Nome should be improved?” Booshu said the housing shortage isn’t just felt by Nome.
“We have a severe housing crisis. There is a wait list, and that is a statewide wait list, and it is long,” Booshu said.
Booshu also oversees the Nome Emergency Shelter Team’s (NEST) seasonal shelter. Initially, Homeplate was seen as a way to decrease NEST’s regulars, but Booshu said the need continues to rise.
“Last year, our numbers doubled, so there has been a high influx of newly homeless people,” she said.
Since opening, Booshu said HomePlate has remained full. A handful of the apartment’s initial residents are still there, while others have moved on to long-term housing outside the region.
HomePlate considers these success stories – “graduates” from the program. But Booshu said no one has made the step into alternate Nome housing yet. She said it’s still a little early.
“When someone who has experienced chronic homelessness, which is the requirement for HomePlate, experiencing homelessness 12 months out of the past 36 months, you can develop complex PTSD,” Booshu said.
As a housing first project, HomePlate doesn’t have a long list of program rules and requirements, but there are a few. Residents pay rent – though it’s subsidized – and must be respectful and non-violent.
Working on solutions
Booshu said housing in Nome is a real issue, and the daily calls she receives reflect that. But she often has to turn people away because they don’t have space or the applicants’ homelessness is only very recent.
She hopes the community will keep working on solutions.
“I wish we could open another facility. I really hope somebody can soon, or create a tiny home village. Something needs to happen,” Booshu said.
Local organizations provide support as well, like Norton Sound Health Corporation. The regional hospital offers on-site medical and mental health visits and Alaska Legal Services stops in for office hours.
She said HomePlate staff work to provide a positive space for the residents to start addressing their basic needs, so they can move forward in life.
“I have staff available for clients to talk to whenever they want. We have a community dinner every month,” Booshu said. “We are trying to implement things like going out berry picking and fishing and for those who have paid their rent, and then also, you know, trying to help clients choose to take care of their medical and behavioral health.”
Addressing physical health, mental health and building life skills takes time, though. Booshu said she’s encouraged by the possibilities she sees.
“We're still early, and we have yet to see any major results, but I have faith,” Booshu said.
