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Kansas lawmakers want to crack down on homeless crime. Law enforcement says it won’t help
Law enforcement officials say arresting people who are unhoused for minor crimes like trespassing and vandalism will not help reduce homelessness. Experts say it will cost a lot of tax dollars and actually makes homelessness worse.
Kansas lawmakers want to crack down on homeless crime. Law enforcement says it won’t help
Law enforcement officials say arresting people who are unhoused for minor crimes like trespassing and vandalism will not help reduce homelessness. Experts say it will cost a lot of tax dollars and actually makes homelessness worse.
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Lawrence, KS WeatherMORE
Health department to offer immunizations, screenings at Lawrence Community Shelter
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and the Lawrence Community Shelter are partnering to bring the health department’s clinical services directly to guests staying at the shelter.
Executive director of Family Promise of Lawrence to retire in August
Dana Ortiz, who has served as executive director of Family Promise of Lawrence for 12 years, will step down in August, and the search has begun to find the next leader.
City of Lawrence launching new homeless solutions division; homeless programs coordinator to become director
The City of Lawrence is launching its new homeless solutions division, and Misty Bosch-Hastings, who has served as homeless programs coordinator for the city since summer, will serve as its director.
Planning commission votes in favor of permit for Family Promise shelter in Pinkney neighborhood
Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members on Wednesday voted unanimously in favor of a permit to allow Family Promise to open a longer-term shelter for families as they transition into permanent housing.
‘This is actually the heart of Lawrence’: Advocates grateful for community’s support during cold snap
Lawrence community members helped around the clock during the recent extreme cold snap, and advocates say there is no doubt that their efforts saved people’s lives.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s overflow winter emergency shelters to close for now
With the worst of the extreme weather behind us — at least for now — Lawrence’s overflow winter emergency shelters will close for the time being, effective Wednesday morning.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Power imbalances contribute to homelessness, housing issues in Lawrence, strategic planners say
Wages have not kept pace with rising rent rates and utility costs, and that has contributed to Douglas County’s increase in homelessness, subject matter experts told commissioners during a special meeting Wednesday.
Lawrence city commissioners express support for updates to land development code, hope to implement it this year
City commissioners on Tuesday received an update on the city’s new land development code, which aims to update zoning regulations to allow for more sustainability, affordable housing and equity.
Joint city-county meeting to focus on homelessness and housing strategic plan
The Lawrence City Commission and Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will hold a joint meeting to review the strategic plan to address homelessness and hear updates on progress.
Third space opening to provide winter emergency shelter to Lawrence community members
The numbers of people seeking emergency winter shelter have “significantly increased” since extreme weather hit last week, and the City of Lawrence announced Tuesday plans for a third overflow shelter to open.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Numbers of people seeking shelter have ‘significantly increased’ amid Lawrence’s winter weather
The numbers of people experiencing homelessness who are seeking indoor emergency shelter have “significantly increased” as deadly winter weather has hit Lawrence over the past week.
How to help pets experiencing homelessness in Lawrence during the extreme cold
We’ve published ways to help people experiencing homelessness in Lawrence during the extreme cold weather. Here are some ways to help pets.
How to help people experiencing homelessness in Lawrence during the extreme cold
From grassroots organizations to the Lawrence Community Shelter, there are numerous ways to support those who need help as the area sees dangerously cold temperatures in the coming days.
City of Lawrence to keep Santa Fe Depot open for shelter through extreme cold snap; volunteers needed
The City of Lawrence plans to keep the Amtrak station in East Lawrence open 24 hours a day through the extreme cold temperatures and wind chills the area will see over the next few days.
Maya Hodison / Lawrence Times
City to open Santa Fe Depot for emergency winter sheltering
The City of Lawrence is opening the Amtrak station in East Lawrence Thursday night for anyone who needs to stay warm.
Lawrence City Commission debates emergency sheltering options amid woman’s death, dangerous weather
Amid the heavy snowfall and more severe weather in the forecast for Lawrence, city commissioners on Tuesday discussed but took no action to expand emergency sheltering options for people experiencing homelessness.
Woman and her dog found dead at Lawrence park
A 31-year-old woman and her dog were found dead Tuesday at Sandra J. Shaw Park in Lawrence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
A look inside the Village, Lawrence’s community to help people recover from homelessness
Fifty small cabins will soon be available to help Lawrence community members experiencing homelessness — specifically veterans, domestic violence survivors, older and disabled people — recover and secure housing.
Infusion of state funding chips away at Kansas’ significant affordable housing shortage
A statewide study confirmed in 2021 that Kansas had an insufficient supply of reasonably priced housing. The crisis has undermined quality of life and restrained economic growth.
Lawrence Community Shelter board to forgo public interviews for new director, extend offer
Lawrence Community Shelter board members decided Thursday to extend an employment offer to the unanimous top choice to lead the shelter into a year of broad-ranging change.
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