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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.
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Lawrence City Commission allows Fall Creek Villas development plan to advance
City commissioners on Tuesday gave initial approval to a preliminary development plan for a strip of duplexes in northwestern Lawrence months after they denied an earlier plan for the property.
Lawrence Community Shelter to receive $2.7M in funding agreement with city
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a $2.7 million funding agreement with the Lawrence Community Shelter, which is vastly expanding its services to support people amid a growing homelessness crisis.
Lawrence Community Shelter board will complete review of agreement with city on Monday
The Lawrence Community Shelter board on Thursday did not review a draft agreement that’s set to go to the Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday. The shelter will likely seek around $2.1 million for operations in 2024.
Lawsuit against City of Lawrence asks for court order to disband camps for people experiencing homelessness
Several business owners have filed a lawsuit against the City of Lawrence, asking the court to order the city to disband two camp areas where people experiencing homelessness are living.
Lawrence stormwater, trash bills likely to increase; city board voices support for utility payment plans
As the Lawrence City Commission is set to consider increasing rates that residents pay for stormwater and solid waste, members of the city’s affordable housing board are advocating for utility payment plans.
Lawrence Community Shelter could face $2M budget shortfall; funding agreement with city in the works
The Lawrence Community Shelter will likely be almost $2.1 million over budget in 2024 if it is fully staffed and it provides staffing for the city’s Pallet shelter village.
Lawrence community members discuss goals, action plans to help people living outside
More than two dozen people gathered Wednesday to share their thoughts, concerns and plans for action to help Lawrence community members experiencing homelessness.
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.
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.
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