Affordable Housing & Homelessness News: October 10, 2024

In this edition we’ll explore:

• Homeless Response Team outcomes from 9/22 – 10/5
• Average bed night data through 10/5
• Life skills programming for individuals on a journey to end their homelessness
• Progress on affordable housing throughout the community
• New Segment: Partner Pulse
• Coverage of the Amtrak Camp closure

Homeless Response Team (HRT) outcomes from 9/22 – 10/5

The Homeless Response Team is a dedicated multi-disciplinary crew working hard for the City of Lawrence and includes Substance Use Disorder clinicians, a behavioral health specialist, a housing specialist, a benefits specialist, paramedics, and multiple peers from different backgrounds! Check out the graphic above for a breakdown of their service data over the past two weeks, showcasing how many individuals they’ve helped.

Sharing data on homelessness is essential because it highlights the challenges our community faces and the progress we’re making together. It’s like a progress report for our collective efforts—showing what’s working and where we can improve. Plus, it keeps everyone informed and engaged, sparking conversations that can lead to even more solutions!

The current total number of available emergency shelter beds per night across Lawrence is 175. The graph above shows the average number of individuals in beds across the three emergency shelter programs through October 5.

Throughout the first week of October, there have been an average of 128 occupied beds across the three emergency shelter locations leaving 47 beds available.

• Continuous Stay: The 30 beds available as part of the Lawrence Community Shelter (LCS) Program where individuals can connect with case management and find housing while staying at LCS.
• The Village: A semi-permanent emergency shelter with 50 beds opened in Mid-March 2024 where individuals are assigned to a cabin and connected with services in a support village setting.
• Night-by-Night: 95 beds for individuals who stay at LCS from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

A large part of successfully obtaining and sustaining housing is learning basic life skills that some folks do not get as children. The Homeless Response Team and the Lawrence Community Shelter are working to develop daytime life skills programming for individuals that are on a journey to end their homelessness!

As the Lawrence Community Shelter looks to offer these programs for individuals, they are looking for support from the community to help teach the following skills:

• Attitude & Choices
• Attachment & Connection
• Banking Basics
• Creating Healthy Boundaries
• Eating Smart & Saving Money
• Financial Planning
• Finding Your Strengths & Building a Growth Mindset
• Nutrition Education
• Reframing Negative Thoughts & Self-Affirmations
• Stress & Anxiety Management
• Tenant & Landlord Basics
• Understanding Trauma

Let us know: What agencies or organizations would be a good fit to teach some of these skill sets? You can email our team at homelessprograms@lawrenceks.gov.

If there are other life skills or hobbies you believe our neighbors experiencing homelessness could benefit from that aren’t listed here or if you or anyone you know is interested in teaching or contributing, please email homelessprograms@lawrenceks.gov.

The Harper 7 Project:

• This development includes 7 single-family homeownership units.
• Developed by Tenants to Homeowners (TTH), these single-family homeownership units are complete!
• TTH is actively looking for new homeowners. Click here for more information.
• Check out Humans of Affordable Housing to get an in-depth look at the individuals and families who rely on this essential service.

Join us for the Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting!

Date: October 16
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

We’re excited to announce that this meeting  will feature presentations from applicants seeking funding from the 2025 Affordable Housing Trust Fund. These projects are designed to support residents living at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and include:

• Acquisition, rehabilitation, and development of affordable housing
• Accessibility modifications for affordable housing
• Housing vouchers and rental assistance
• Community engagement projects focused on affordable housing
• Initiatives that advance racial equity in housing

The City is poised to award up to $1.2 million in Trust Fund grants, with over $5 million in requests submitted. So far, the Trust Fund has helped develop 372 new affordable housing units, with 364 more currently in progress. Additionally, the Fund provides crucial support for vouchers, rent and utility assistance, as well as rehab and accessibility modifications for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.

This meeting plays a vital role in the City’s commitment to the A Place for Everyone plan, which aims to reach functional zero for homelessness. The affordable housing goals of this plan focus on increasing both rental and homeownership opportunities while enhancing access to existing affordable housing options.

Community members are encouraged to attend the presentations to learn more about these impactful initiatives. You can participate in person at the City Commission room, watch on Live Video Stream or the City’s YouTube Channel

If you’d like to provide public comment during the meeting, please register for the Zoom session using this link: Virtual Meeting Registration via Zoom

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund plays a vital role in the City’s commitment to the A Place for Everyone  plan, which aims to reach functional zero for homelessness. The affordable housing goals of this plan focus on increasing both rental and homeownership opportunities while enhancing access to existing affordable housing options.

How can I track movement on affordable housing in Lawrence?

Affordable Housing Advisory Board Meetings/Notes
Stay in the loop by attending Advisory Board meetings! These sessions are a great opportunity to hear updates, share your thoughts, and see firsthand how we’re making progress in affordable housing.

Dashboard
Check out our interactive dashboard here for real-time updates on affordable housing projects! It’s packed with information, so you can easily track the latest developments at your fingertips.

Homeless Resource Center (HRC) Community Cleanup Initiative:Have you heard about HRC’s exciting new community cleanup initiative? They’re on a mission to keep our downtown beautiful, and it’s just the beginning of something special!

In just three weeks, this dynamic team—along with some enthusiastic volunteers and guests—has already collected an impressive 13 bags of trash from the Downtown and Oread districts. Talk about community spirit!

By providing purpose, creating job opportunities, and instilling a sense of pride, they’re truly changing the narrative around homelessness in our community. It’s heartwarming to see how they’re making a positive impact and bringing people together for a brighter, cleaner future!

Their goal is to create more opportunities for low-barrier job opportunities for those in need! If you’re interested in partnering or sponsoring this initiative, please reach out to HRC at volunteer@darecenterlawrence.org. Connect with them on Facebook at facebook.com/homelessresourcecenter.

KCTV5 has been covering this vital process, featuring insights from Misty Bosch-Hastings, the City’s Homeless Solutions Division Director, and Lavern Biggoose, a resident of the camp. For more details, click here to read the full story.

About the City of Lawrence   
The City of Lawrence supports an unmistakably vibrant community with innovative, equitable, transparent and responsible local government. Together, we are creating a community where everyone can enjoy life and feel at home.