The City of Lawrence released new details Tuesday about its policy to serve primarily people who are from Douglas County with homelessness resources, and to send others elsewhere.
Under the policy, the city provides “non-resident homeless individuals” with short-term assistance and helps them return to their “place of origin,” according to a city news release. Service providers working with the city are expected to follow suit.
“We’re not servicing individuals long term that cannot prove that they’re residents, and that’s going to start going into our contracts, because we just don’t have the bandwidth to do that,” Misty Bosch-Hastings, director of the city’s Homeless Solutions Division, said during a meeting last month.
The policy has been publicly discussed for at least a month, but the formal announcement of the policy comes a week after the Lawrence City Commission approved putting a question on the ballot to ask Lawrence voters to approve a sales tax to support homelessness services.
The majority of people experiencing homelessness who agreed to answer the point-in-time count survey in January reported that they have lived in Lawrence or Douglas County for 12 months or more, according to data from Kristen Egan, Douglas County regional coordinator for the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition.
Of the 414 respondents counted in this year’s survey, 289, or 71%, said they’d been in Douglas County for more than 12 months; 51, or 13%, said seven to 12 months; and 69, or 17%, said they’d been here for zero to six months.
“Our new policy ensures that we prioritize Douglas County residents while offering short-term support to those from other areas,” Bosch-Hastings said in the city’s release. “By focusing on local needs and providing a pathway for non-residents to return home, we can manage our resources effectively and help more people find stability. This approach reflects our commitment to compassionate, practical solutions for everyone in need.”
James Chiselom, director of the Lawrence Community Shelter, shared in May that LCS was already following a policy of allowing only three-day respite stays for people who don’t have Douglas County ties. He said LCS doesn’t require ID, but they get enough information from people to verify who they are and see if they’re from Lawrence. Shelter staff can check the HMIS, or homeless management information system, to see if folks are included in records there.
When members of the multidisciplinary Homeless Response Team meet someone who is not from Lawrence or Douglas County, they will follow a five-step process to help them relocate, according to the city’s release:
1. Initial assessment and temporary assistance: “Non-resident homeless individuals seeking assistance will undergo an initial assessment by the Homeless Response Team and, if eligible, they can receive access to emergency shelter, meals and basic services for three business days. The Homeless Response Team will make referrals for services to agencies after the eligibility assessment is complete.”
2. Development of return plan: “If the individuals are eligible for transportation, the Homeless Response Team will make transportation arrangements and coordinate any necessary support services as well as a way to contact relevant agencies in the home community when appropriate.”
3. Coordination with origin town resources: “The Homeless Response Team will work to identify and connect the individual with resources and services in their town of origin.”
4. Transportation assistance: “Efforts will be made to secure the most cost-effective and safe transportation options.”
5. Documentation and follow-up: “All actions taken, plans developed, and assistance provided will be documented by the Homeless Response Team. Follow-up checks will be conducted by the team to ensure the individual reaches their destination and verifies connection has been made to their natural supports or services.”
The HRT includes employees of the City of Lawrence, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Artists Helping the Homeless, Lawrence Community Shelter, Homeless Resource Center, Lawrence Police Department and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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