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Construction underway on Pallet shelters in Lawrence
The city has begun building Pallet shelter village, which will provide emergency shelter for about 50 veterans, domestic violence survivors and others who are experiencing homelessness.
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DARE Center names new executive director
Brett Hartford is the new executive director of Lawrence’s DARE (Drop-In and Rest) Center, its board of directors announced Wednesday.

Planning commission approves early steps in New Boston Crossing project that could expand Lawrence to the south
New Boston Crossing, a planned development southeast of the K-10 interchange at Iowa Street, took the next steps toward coming to fruition with votes from the planning commission on Wednesday.

Lawrence Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommends 4 housing projects, 3 programs for nearly $3M in funding
Affordable Housing Advisory Board members on Monday voted to recommend that the city assist four housing projects and three programs with funding, but not an eastern Lawrence project that aims to house primarily families with children.

City, Lawrence Community Shelter board plan massive expansion of shelter’s capacity, closure of North Lawrence camp
With the number of people living outside estimated at more than 3 times what it was last year, the Lawrence Community Shelter board has agreed to vastly expand the shelter’s capacity for the winter, and the city is looking to close the North Lawrence campsite.

After closed-door session, Lawrence Community Shelter board votes to open national search for director
The newly established Lawrence Community Shelter board of directors during a special meeting Wednesday night voted to open a national search for a permanent executive director.

Lawrence Community Shelter board to meet, discuss winter emergency sheltering
The new Lawrence Community Shelter board of directors will hold a special meeting Wednesday to discuss expanding services and meals for winter emergency sheltering.

New Lawrence Community Shelter board discusses financial straits, delays recognizing staff union
The Lawrence Community Shelter’s day-to-day budget could be in the red by the end of the year, even before added expenses to support winter shelter, the new board of directors learned Thursday.

Planning commission denies rezoning request for apartment complex in Brook Creek neighborhood
Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members voted 7-2 Wednesday to deny a developer’s rezoning request that would have brought a 360-unit apartment complex one step closer to construction on the far eastern edge of town.

Brook Creek neighbors to stand against proposed 360-unit complex on east side of Lawrence
Planning commissioners on Wednesday will consider a developer’s rezoning request for an apartment complex that many Brook Creek residents fear would permanently change the character of their neighborhood.

City staff members explain plans to reduce campsites around Lawrence
Within two days of announcing a new online form to report people living outside to Lawrence’s homeless programs team, the city had received more than four dozen responses regarding approximately 20 camps.

Lawrence city commissioners split on mayor’s Lawrence Community Shelter board appointments
One Lawrence city commissioner on Tuesday voiced concerns about a person the mayor appointed to serve on the new Lawrence Community Shelter Board of Directors, and another spoke critically of the process that led to three appointees.

Lawrence Community Shelter staff members are unionizing, they announce
Staff members of the Lawrence Community Shelter are unionizing with CWA Local 6400 and have asked management to voluntarily recognize the union.

Lawrence city commissioners approve change to allow 2 affordable homes on more single lots
Lawrence city commissioners approved a tweak that will open up more single residential lots to possibly be developed with two small affordable homes.

Lawrence City Commission to consider code tweak that would allow 2 affordable homes to be built on more single lots
A proposed change would loosen restrictions on developing two small, affordable homes on certain types of single lots, potentially affecting more than 1,000 lots in Lawrence.

Lawrence planning commission rejects revised plan for Fall Creek Villas
After hours of discussion Wednesday evening, the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of plans for duplexes in a strip of green space in northwestern Lawrence.

Mental health advocates ask for legislative policy that treats unhoused Kansans with respect
Mental health advocates are once again brainstorming ways to approach the Kansas Legislature about the state’s growing homelessness problem.

Lawrence City Commission candidates generally agree city needs much housing progress, Pallet Shelter Village
Lawrence has a long way to go from a housing standpoint, candidates vying for three seats on the Lawrence City Commission agreed during a forum Wednesday.

Lawrence city staff members, commissioners hesitate as mayor calls to enforce no-camping measures
Mayor Lisa Larsen on Tuesday called for the city to push back against people camping around town. City staff members and her fellow commissioners said they agree that the situation needs to change, but there was not a feasible way to end camping right now.

Douglas County commissioners approve policy to pay people with lived experience for service on boards
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday approved a policy for county staff to pay people who have lived experience for their time and work on boards.

Douglas County Commission to consider policy to pay people with lived experience
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday will consider a new policy that would allow the county to pay people who have lived experience for their input on community issues and initiatives.
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