A coalition of city officials and nonprofits is surveying the public on how Anchorage should tackle homelessness.

The Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services, the Housing and Neighborhood Development Commission's Oversight Subcommittee on Homelessness and the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness are developing a five-year plan on ending homelessness in the city.

Data collected in the survey, launched online this week, will be used to create the plan.

"People who become homeless do not fit one general description. However, people experiencing homelessness do have certain shared basic needs, including affordable housing, adequate incomes and health care," the Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services said in an announcement of the survey distributed this week. "Some homeless people may need additional services such as mental health or drug treatment in order to remain securely housed. All of these needs must be met to prevent and end homelessness."

The survey asks respondents for feedback on the types of services that should be provided and the groups -- including veterans, homeless families and the disabled -- that should receive top priority for help, among other topics.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Results will be one of several sources of information used to develop the plan, according to officials.