Homelessness & housing
LATEST
Lawrence city commissioners voice concerns about camping in wake of fire
Lawrence city commissioners quizzed city staff Tuesday on how they can take action for public safety following a fire under the Kansas River bridge that police say was related to someone’s camp.
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Kansas bill would allow renters to pay landlords in increments, expand definition of lawful income
Kansas renters would be allowed to pay their landlords in increments under a proposal that aims to tackle some housing affordability and access issues.
Planning commissioners recommend annexing 63 acres in northwestern Lawrence
Planning commissioners on Wednesday voted to recommend annexing property west of Lawrence Nature Park into city limits for a potential housing development.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence sober living home expands beds for women in recovery to live with their children, build tenacity
A renovated historical home in Lawrence has joined Cardinal Housing Network’s transitional housing options for women recovering from substance use, this time allowing residents to live with their children.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Report suggests solutions to help single mothers in Douglas County
Single mothers in Douglas County regularly endure overlapping struggles to find housing, food and health care, according to a report produced by the county, KU and a handful of other local agencies.
Landlord-friendly bill would roll back Lawrence’s protections for low-income renters
A Kansas property owner wants to impose a restriction across the entire state because of Lawrence’s ordinance protecting low-income renters.
A new strategy in Olathe builds whole neighborhoods of homes that stay affordable for years
Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is using community land trusts to build entire neighborhoods that aim to help address the state’s affordable housing shortage.
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.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
City Commission pledges tax breaks for west Lawrence affordable housing project
A majority of Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday pledged their support for tax breaks to offset development costs of an affordable housing project planned for the far western edge of town.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City Commission to consider tax breaks for 121-unit west Lawrence affordable housing project
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will hold a public hearing and consider tax breaks for a 121-unit permanently affordable housing project that’s slated for K-10 and Bob Billings.
Online survey for Lawrence residents will help inform city’s affordable housing study
Lawrence residents can share their experiences with housing in town through an online survey that will help inform the city’s affordable housing study.
New lawsuit challenges City of Lawrence’s housing discrimination ordinance
A real estate company has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Lawrence challenging an ordinance that bans discrimination based on where a potential tenant’s rent payments would come from, such as housing vouchers.
Plans for a family emergency shelter in Lawrence have fallen through
A shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Lawrence will not come to fruition because of a lack of funding, a city staff member told the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday evening.
Lawrence City Commission lifts cap on short-term rentals for duration of World Cup
Lawrence city commissioners have approved a change to remove the limit on how many short-term rental units — such as AirBnBs — property owners may hold. The change will be in place throughout the World Cup.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners to consider lifting short-term rental rules during World Cup
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider temporarily lifting limits on how many short-term rentals property owners can hold, aiming to capitalize on the influx of people expected during the World Cup.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission to discuss new affordable housing policy draft
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will discuss an updated draft affordable housing policy aiming to increase development to meet community needs and clarify requirements for developers seeking city funds.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Delmar Place, affordable complex for older people, to start taking applications
The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority will start accepting applications next week for apartments at Delmar Place, a new affordable complex for older people.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sheryl Sanders, champion of stable housing, retires from the Lawrence Community Shelter
Social work is woven into Sheryl Sanders as much as she’s woven into Lawrence. Sanders has retired as one of the longest-tenured Lawrence Community Shelter employees.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘We’re regressing’: Douglas County commissioners again bump tenant right to counsel program to back burner
Although Douglas County has expressed commitment to tenant right to counsel and has engaged in implementation discussions for months, a majority of county commissioners Wednesday opted instead to have county staff do more research on mediation.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Planning Commission recommends zoning changes for former Dragon’s Hoard site, Bert Nash housing
Planning commissioners gave nods of approval to one zoning request to allow houses to be built at the former Dragon’s Hoard location and another for Bert Nash to construct apartments off Sixth and Rockledge.
Nathan Kramer/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission to consider a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will review staff recommendations to create a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program for 2027, despite an advocacy group’s calls for a program to support all renters facing eviction.
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Resources for renters and tenants
Tenant issues and rights:
• Read about the rights Kansas tenants have and issues that could come up before, during and after tenancy from Kansas Legal Services.
• Find more info and connect with Lawrence Tenants.
Evictions:
• Learn about the eviction process from the Kansas Judicial Branch at this link.
• Check out the self-help page on the Douglas County District Court’s website at dgcoks.gov/district-court/self-help for resources and helpful forms.
• Find the Kansas Judicial Branch’s eviction expungement portal online at this link.
City of Lawrence fair housing help:
• Find information about the city’s fair housing civil rights enforcement procedures and a form to initiate a complaint on the city’s website at lawrenceks.org/attorney/fairhousing, or call 785-832-3310.
Rental assistance:
• Apply for help from the Douglas County Housing Stabilization Collaborative via the county’s website at this link.
• Apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, LIEAP, at this link during colder months to help cover home energy costs.
• Find more resources to help with rent and utility payments on the Lawrence Public Library’s website.
News coverage:
• See the latest articles from The Lawrence Times on the following topics: homelessness and housing; renter rights; source of income discrimination; affordable housing; tenant right to counsel
