LATEST
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.
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.
FORECAST
Lawrence, KS WeatherMORE
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission approves strategic plan to end homelessness; county commission to consider
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved the joint city-county strategic plan to end homelessness, which estimates a total of about $268 million to fulfill its goals over the next five years.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Baker University might sell land near wetlands discovery center for affordable housing development
A private investment company has approached Baker University about buying a parcel of land near the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center for the development of affordable housing.
Planning commission approves rezoning request for affordable housing development in west Lawrence
The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission on has approved a request to rezone land near Lawrence Montessori School to allow for affordable housing development.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence storytellers present digitized projects on homelessness, police brutality, Black joy
Suppressed experiences of marginalized communities — such as Lawrence’s unhoused people — have been brought to light by local storytellers.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s homelessness response team soon to launch; Artists Helping the Homeless to add peer outreach worker
The City of Lawrence’s multidisciplinary Homelessness Response Team will soon launch, and one member of that team will be a peer outreach worker with Artists Helping the Homeless.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Residents of North Lawrence campsite prepare to say goodbye
People have had a lot to say about the camp in North Lawrence over the past couple of years. But those who live there are mourning as they pack up to leave the place where they’ve made their homes.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
City to clear North Lawrence campsite Monday
Camping will no longer be allowed in the North Lawrence area behind Johnny’s Tavern effective Monday. Advocates dispute the city’s account that many former residents have “exited street homelessness.”
People living outside, advocates tell Lawrence City Commission trust is broken
Following an update on the city’s homelessness programs, many Lawrence community members who are living outside and advocates told city commissioners Tuesday that the city has broken their trust.
$40 million Kansas homeless shelter proposal comes with catch: enforcing bans in public spaces
Kansas communities are on track to receive state money to create more shelter for people under a new proposal — but a built-in provision could mean these people are criminalized for living outside first.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence closes sanctioned camp; confusion ensues for some people staying nearby
The City of Lawrence has closed the sanctioned camp for people experiencing homelessness, but some people who have been staying in camps nearby are confused about where they can and cannot be until camping in the area is banned in a month.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence plans: Open Pallet village, prohibit camping, establish police office downtown
The City of Lawrence is planning to open a village of shelters for people experiencing homelessness Monday, soon end support at the sanctioned North Lawrence campsite, prohibit camping in that area and establish an office for police officers who will patrol downtown full time.
New Kansas bill requests $40 million for homeless shelters, requires enforcement of camping laws
A bill supported by Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita is requesting $40 million from the state for homeless shelter infrastructure, and it also requires localities to enforce ordinances on camping and vagrancy.
Lawrence Community Shelter demographic reports on guests show racial disparities
People of color are overrepresented among guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter compared to the population of Douglas County, according to reports from the director.
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.
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