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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Camp sweep near I-70 in Lawrence leaves people asking where else they can go
People living in tents and hand-built structures near Interstate 70 in Lawrence
were forced to vacate the property in the cold during a camp sweep Wednesday. Many had their possessions destroyed and don’t know where they can go next.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Camp sweep near I-70 in Lawrence leaves people asking where else they can go
People living in tents and hand-built structures near Interstate 70 in Lawrence
were forced to vacate the property in the cold during a camp sweep Wednesday. Many had their possessions destroyed and don’t know where they can go next.
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Lawrence, KS WeatherMORE
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Draft strategic plan sets goals for Douglas County to reach functional zero homelessness
A draft strategic plan sets a goal of 2028 for Lawrence and Douglas County to achieve functional zero homelessness. The plan emphasizes equity, inclusion, and correcting imbalances of power.
Family struggling with anger after woman’s death at North Lawrence campsite
Ashley Sawyer’s family members learned that she died this week, but rather than sit with their loss, they are processing feelings of anger and confusion resulting from the police department’s failure to notify them properly.
Letter to the Times: We can prevent more deaths of unhoused community members
”Those of us who care about Lawrence and who care about the state of our society must come together to help unhoused people,” Nancy Snow writes in this letter to the Times.
Lawrence City Commission approves developer’s request to annex land north of Rock Chalk Park to build 300-plus homes
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved annexing and rezoning land north of city limits, where a developer plans to build 300 or more market-rate homes.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Woman dead at North Lawrence campsite; Times reporter ordered to leave
Camp residents found a woman dead in her tent at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness Tuesday night, and police forced a reporter who was interviewing camp residents to leave.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission approves plans for Pallet Shelter Village on former Veritas property
The Lawrence City Commission has approved the purchase of land on North Michigan Street and a contract for temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Pinkney residents, preschool leaders concerned about plans for homeless shelter site
Residents of Lawrence’s Pinkney neighborhood and staff at a nearby preschool are questioning the site where the city plans to place a “village” for people experiencing homelessness, and how the project would be managed.
Developer seeks to annex land north of Rock Chalk Park to build 300-plus homes
A developer will ask the Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday to approve annexing and rezoning land north of city limits to build 300 or more market-rate homes.
Lawrence City Commission to consider land purchase, zoning and code exemption for Pallet Shelter Village
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider a $725,000 land purchase, a contract for $1.11 million of temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness, and a resolution suspending zoning and code enforcement on that property for a year.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
City announces tentative location for Pallet Shelter Village: North Michigan Street
The City of Lawrence on Wednesday announced the location for its planned Pallet Shelter Village site: 256 North Michigan St., pending Lawrence City Commission approval.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
North Lawrence camp residents say city workers won’t let certain people shower; one woman alleges harassment
Residents of the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness say city workers have denied some people showers in the hygiene trailer recently placed at the site, and a woman alleges that one city worker harassed her as she showered.
Lawrence’s Winter Emergency Shelter closes; nearly 200 volunteers helped keep it running this year
The city’s Winter Emergency Shelter has closed for the season — and maybe for the last time. The city is not planning to use the Community Building for a winter shelter next year, the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board learned Monday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Community Shelter to increase capacity by night but limit daytime stays
The Lawrence Community Shelter is increasing its nighttime capacity on Monday to 125 people — more than double the population it’s served since 2020. However, it’s also limiting the number of people who can be there during the days.
Winter Emergency Shelter to close, then Community Building floors to be refinished
Lawrence’s indoor Winter Emergency Shelter will close after Sunday night, and then the Community Building will be closed for maintenance.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
No deal: City of Lawrence, developers reach ‘mutual impasse’ on proposed site of Pallet Shelter Village
Plans for development of a site near 18th and Haskell for a temporary modular home village for people experiencing homelessness have come to a halt, a developer says.
Consultants recommend City of Lawrence allocate $1.4M in grant funds to affordable housing
Statistics and survey responses made clear that affordable housing is Lawrence’s most pressing need in order to alleviate and prevent homelessness, consultants told the city commission on Tuesday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City sets sights on 18th & Haskell for Lawrence’s Pallet Shelter Village, old Veritas building for shelter
The City of Lawrence is planning to raise modular shelters for people experiencing homelessness at a site near 18th Street and Haskell Avenue, sources say. In addition, the city plans to buy the old Veritas Christian School property on North Michigan Street, possibly for use as a family shelter.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
City to install hygiene trailer at North Lawrence campsite, following questions about staff trailer
The city will install a bathroom and shower trailer at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness, despite the plan violating city code. The city recently brought an office trailer to the support site, sparking confusion and controversy.
Jared Wolsey / Contributed Photo
Kansas plan to penalize homeless people for sleeping on public property draws sharp criticism
A bill that drew sharp opposition Thursday would let the Kansas AG penalize cities that don’t enforce no-camping rules and let the state deny non-compliant cities money to combat homelessness.
House lawmakers strike out legislation meant to end Kansas local anti-discrimination measures
Following backlash to legislation that would have nullified local government anti-discrimination protections, lawmakers voted to strike the offending section from an anti-discrimination bill.
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