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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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Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Lawrence backpack drive aims to gather survival supplies for people living outside this summer
Inspired by another community member’s kindness, Alex Buzicky is launching a summer backpack drive designed to help people living outside overcome the survival challenges they’ll face during the next couple of months.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Funds available for affordable housing projects in Lawrence
The City of Lawrence is now accepting applications for funding from the affordable housing trust fund.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission approves $1.2M for Tenants to Homeowners to purchase land near Holcom Park
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday agreed to a $1.2 million expense to help Tenants to Homeowners acquire land near Holcom Park to potentially build workforce housing.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Concerns about North Lawrence camp persist as city eyes budget for new homeless programs department
As the city proposes spending $2 million on a new homeless programs department, some people experiencing homelessness, local advocates and the owner of a nearby business have expressed ongoing concerns about the city’s handling of the campsite in North Lawrence.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence city manager’s draft 2024 budget includes $2M new homeless programs department
After months of criticism from residents and business leaders, the City of Lawrence is planning to create a department specifically focused on unhoused people, with a price tag of $2 million.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission to hear update on homelessness strategic plan
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday will hear about city and county staff members’ efforts to engage the community around a draft strategic plan that aims to reach functional zero homelessness by 2028.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Former tenant seeks accountability for water leaks, mold issues in rental home
Hillary Jones, a single mom and disabled veteran, felt frustrated and powerless when water leaks sprang up at her former Lawrence home. She blames mold for aggravating her kids’ asthma and wants accountability within a system she views as once helping her family but ultimately failing it.
Timeline update: City of Lawrence hopes to open Pallet Shelter Village by winter
The city’s village of cabin-style shelters for people experiencing homelessness, previously slated to open in July, is running a few months behind schedule.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Judge will allow Lawrence protections for housing voucher recipients to take effect
A judge on Tuesday denied a request from a group of Lawrence landlords to halt a city ordinance that bans landlords from denying someone housing based on their source of income or immigration status.
Lawrence school district will sell land to Tenants to Homeowners, start process to sell East Heights
The Lawrence school board on Monday voted to sell surplus property to Tenants to Homeowners as well as begin the process to sell East Heights and transfer the student programs held there to one of the elementary schools that will soon close.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Housed and unhoused Lawrence community members planning camp cleanups
Sandy Burkett is eager to participate in an upcoming camp cleanup, one of several planned collaborations between housed and unhoused community members and neighborhood groups throughout Lawrence.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence, Douglas County leaders pledge to reach functional zero homelessness, boost health care workforce
Justice Matters’ Action Assembly began with a choir singing lyrics expressing hope for change, a fitting prelude to the goals and commitments for Lawrence and Douglas County the group outlined Sunday.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Advocates, residents concerned that ‘no visitors’ policy at North Lawrence camp is alienating
City staff members are enforcing a “no visitors” policy aimed at improving safety at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness, but some camp residents and grassroots advocates are concerned that it’s causing further isolation.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
New city policy says children can stay at North Lawrence campsite; it’s unclear what that might look like in practice
Children are now allowed to stay with their parents at the city-run campsite for people experiencing homelessness in North Lawrence, according to a new policy.
Ulysses Clayborn: Why renting to subsidized tenants is good business for Kansas — and every state (Column)
“The issue — property owners holding on tightly to unfounded myths about subsidized renters rather than leaning into the facts — is a problem with a solution. We can debunk these myths and lessen their grasp upon voucher holders’ ability to find homes,” Ulysses Clayborn writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Thousands of applicants still waiting for energy assistance in Kansas
Almost 30,000 Kansans are still waiting to find out whether they’ll receive Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) funds. For some people, that’s meant accruing credit card debt or sacrificing medical care to keep the heat on.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Reminder: First public meeting to discuss draft housing and homelessness strategic plan is Thursday
Community members can share their feedback on the draft Lawrence-Douglas County Housing and Homelessness 5-Year Strategic Plan during multiple upcoming public meetings, with the first set for noon Thursday.
Lawrence Tenants to host ‘From Imagination to Reality’ planning session
The Lawrence Tenants group invites all local renters to an action meeting Thursday evening to work toward better conditions, more rights and more freedoms.
Systemic issues highlighted in Lawrence community health assessment; health department seeks feedback
A recent assessment shows that inadequate wages, incarceration, lack of affordable housing, access to health care and more are top issues affecting public health in Lawrence and Douglas County. Health department staff members want to hear from the community to help shape the next health plan.
Learn about Lawrence’s new housing discrimination protections at upcoming meetings
Landlords, tenants and anyone who’s interested can learn more about Lawrence’s new protections for people using housing vouchers during three upcoming meetings.
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