From various studies, there seems to be less than 3,000 people who are homeless in Anchorage, with a large % being Alaska Natives, and the other large percentage white males. A small % of those homeless cause issues (loitering, panhandling, criminal activities, etc.).  Simple fix would be to create housing options, not Beans Cafe type options, that really just perpetuate the problem. I can't help but think that if there were low income housing built, and places like Beans closed, and not be allowed to reopen, AND the police actually doing their job and arresting people who break laws, then that would be a relatively easy fix. 
Also for an addict, it's easy to stay on the drug of choice when the state and native associations keep doling out money, (along with the US and disability, etc.) which is just enough to stay addicted. Many of the homeless simply want to stay that way. We need a way to make them feel uncomfortable in that mindset.