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Lawrence, Douglas County commissioners vow to back policy that boosts elder care, ends chronic homelessness
Lawrence and Douglas County elected officials made pledges to support initiatives aimed at boosting the elder care workforce and abating chronic homelessness Sunday at the annual Justice Matters Action Assembly.
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Lawrence City Commission approves ordinance changes aimed at helping people find housing
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved an ordinance change that creates a protected class based on source of income, as well as status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. The change also disallows discrimination based on prospective tenants’ immigration status.
‘This was not a good Samaritan out giving food’: Residents of North Lawrence camp, advocate counter narrative about fight
Two residents of the North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness were charged with crimes after a fight Saturday, but other residents and an advocate say the alleged victim was not supposed to be at the support site at all.
Lawrence City Commission to vote on proposed ordinance change aimed at helping people find housing
Lawrence city commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on proposed changes to city ordinances that advocates say could help people secure housing. They’ll also decide whether to include tenant protections based on immigration status.
City thanks resident of North Lawrence camp for managing site, says staff will now take over
The city has thanked camp resident Jennifer Adams for managing the North Lawrence support site for people experiencing homelessness but says her services are no longer needed, and that moving forward, city staff will manage the site.
Lawrence city manager: Pallet shelter village slated for June, plus more updates on homelessness and housing crisis
The Lawrence city manager shared updates Tuesday about a Pallet shelter village for people experiencing homelessness, possible merger with the Lawrence Community Shelter and more regarding the local affordable housing crisis.
Advocates concerned about city leaning on unpaid work from resident of North Lawrence campsite
The task of checking people in at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness falls on resident Jennifer Adams — along with other duties, such as de-escalating problems, distributing donations, and trespassing people when they violate the contracts secured in Adams’ tent.
Douglas County rent assistance program switching to lottery system sooner than planned; applications open
A Douglas County program is switching to a lottery system to distribute funding for residents in need of rent and utility assistance sooner than planned. Applications are open now.
Douglas County rent assistance program to switch to lottery system, lower per-household cap
The Douglas County Housing Stabilization Collaborative is moving away from a first-come, first-served model to distribute funding for residents in need of rent and utility assistance. It will also lower the maximum total payment in order to serve more households.
Unhoused residents of North Lawrence campsite say city staff members are ‘just eyeballing us,’ have stopped support
Some residents of the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness say city staff members have stopped providing basic support, including food and water. It’s causing them to shift their focus to survival, rather than improving their situations.
Lawrence City Commission delays tenant source of income protections to address real estate concerns
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday delayed final action again on an ordinance change that would no longer allow landlords to deny someone housing based solely on their source of income.
Lawrence City Commission to revisit source of income discrimination following meeting for landlords
City leaders are set to revisit a proposed ordinance Tuesday that advocates say could significantly help people in need of housing. The Lawrence City Commission delayed approval last month to seek feedback from landlords about the proposed tenant protections.
Family members mourn Lawrence man dead from suspected fentanyl overdose
When emergency responders confirmed the death of Tony Cipollaro, residents of the North Lawrence campsite who called the 26-year-old a friend cried, cursed, and consoled each other. Some screamed.
Tony had a family and friends who loved him. He knew this.
City staff members assert alcohol & drug program funds’ distribution is legal; advisory board member says questions remain
After more than a year spent questioning the process and legality of how the city allocates its special alcohol tax revenue, an advisory board will meet Friday to discuss a staff memo that says the city’s appropriation of the money adheres to the law.
Lawrence’s homeless programs coordinator position will be filled, city manager says
The Lawrence city manager says staff members will evaluate and seek to fill the homeless programs coordinator position, following the resignation of the first person to hold the job.
City of Lawrence’s homeless programs coordinator to step down
Jenn Wolsey, homeless programs coordinator for the City of Lawrence, is resigning from her position.
Man dies at North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness
A man died Friday at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness. Some camp residents said they believed the man had overdosed.
Lawrence activist’s New Year’s Eve Unhoused Project aims to offer ‘a little hope’
Kevin Elliott-Snow will celebrate the new year at the Winter Emergency Shelter as part of his New Year’s Eve Unhoused Project. On that night, he will distribute up to 200 goodie-like gift bags for anyone experiencing homelessness.
Mother and son ask community members to join them at North Lawrence campsite on Christmas Eve
Trina Tinsley and her 9-year-old son, Jax, want to fill the North Lawrence campsite for unhoused community members with love and support this Christmas Eve.
How to help Lawrence people experiencing homelessness during the cold snap
Advocates for people experiencing homelessness are looking for supplies and volunteer help as snow and dangerously cold wind chills approach Lawrence.
City hopes to keep Lawrence Winter Emergency Shelter open 24/7 during extreme cold snap
With dangerously cold temperatures in the forecast over the next several days, the Community Building will be open around the clock if the city can get enough volunteers.
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