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Lawrence ordinance meant to help people with vouchers find housing survives legal challenge
A Douglas County judge has ruled against a group of landlords who sued the City of Lawrence over an ordinance that bans discrimination against some prospective tenants.
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Lawrence Community Shelter leaders explain reasons for lower capacity, issues they’re facing
As community members pressure the Lawrence Community Shelter to surge capacity from 50 to 125 people, team members at the shelter say they wish more people took the time to understand their decision-making process.
Lawrence community members share concerns about city’s camp for people experiencing homelessness
Business owners, housing advocates, and housed and unhoused community members filled Lawrence City Hall on Tuesday to speak out about the city’s handling of homelessness and management of the camp behind Johnny’s.
Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission pushes to ban housing discrimination based on source of income
Proposed changes to city codes could open literal doors to many Lawrence community members in need of housing if a city advisory board’s recommendations become law.
Urgency sets in as winter approaches and many Lawrence community members are unhoused
Winter is coming fast, and many Lawrence community members are unhoused. Downtown stakeholders have come together to push the city to find solutions, but city staff members say right now they’re limited in what they can do.
City of Lawrence-run camp for people experiencing homelessness raises concerns for ‘family’ members who already live there
Jennifer Adams is anxious. She soon has to relocate the tent where she currently lives nestled near a shade tree. In the year and a half Adams has been homeless, the city has swept her camps six times, she said.
What is Lawrence’s land development code, and why should you care that it’s getting updated?
A lot has changed in the past 16 years — but that’s not reflected in the document that lays out the regulations meant to help the city implement its vision. Here’s what to know about code updates that “have the potential to radically reshape the community.”
Tenants to Homeowners to double its affordable housing offerings with west Lawrence development
Affordable price points, yet simple and durable construction. Those are the qualities envisioned for a 122-unit housing development on Lawrence’s west side, according to the executive director of Tenants to Homeowners.
Symposium invites landlords to discover benefits of affordable housing partnerships
More than 70 local households have been approved for housing vouchers but can’t find a rental unit that matches their needs. To help alleviate that shortfall, the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority will host a symposium July 28 to educate property owners about incentives and support available for those who partner with the agency.
Moving in or out of a Lawrence rental property? Here’s a Q&A that might help
It’s that time of year again — many Lawrence renters’ leases run from August to July.
Here’s a Q&A to help address some of the common issues renters encounter near the beginning or end of a lease.
Letter to the Times: Douglas County should adopt a tenants’ right to counsel
“If you’re charged with a felony, you have the right to an attorney. If you’re about to be kicked out of your home here in Douglas County, you’re on your own,” Steven Koprince writes in this letter to the Times.
Advisory board calls for transparency in city’s social services funding process
As the city formulates its 2023 budget, some social services leaders and advisory board members want more transparency, equity and public engagement in the process used to distribute funding for social service agencies.
Douglas County Commission focuses on landlord relations during work session on needs of unhoused people
Douglas County Commissioners on Wednesday heard the challenges facing an end to chronic homelessness in the county.
Kelly signs bipartisan legislation creating state tax incentive for housing construction
Gov. Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation Thursday creating incentives in the form of state income tax credits for investors in construction of residential housing that contributes to economic development in Kansas.
Justice Matters adds focus on elder care to its list of priorities during annual assembly
Douglas County suffers from an elder care crisis, according to members of the nonprofit organization Justice Matters. Senior care service providers can’t recruit and retain enough qualified staff to provide quality care to seniors in Douglas County who need it.
Simulation provides glimpse into struggles faced by those moving from incarceration to independence
An interactive simulation on Wednesday highlighted the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from a life of incarceration into the community.
Emergency rental assistance still available; guidelines changed to help more Kansans at risk for eviction
Recent updates to KERA — Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance — are allowing the state to serve more Kansans who need help with rent, utility and internet payments.
New manager of human services continues efforts toward safe, accessible housing for all in Douglas County
Gabi Sprague is the new human services program manager for Douglas County. She’ll focus on preventing homelessness and helping unify the work of local social service agencies. Though the title is new for Sprague, the work isn’t.
Preliminary report on unhoused people in Douglas County reveals disparities among people of color, women
With the clock ticking on Douglas County’s goal of eliminating functional homelessness in 2023, a new report reveals disparities; among them, Black and Indigenous people are experiencing homelessness at rates nearly 3-5 times higher than the general population.
Lawrence winter shelter to close for the season after March 1
Lawrence’s winter emergency shelter, which has housed nearly 200 individuals at the Community Building for the season’s coldest overnights, will close after Tuesday, March 1.
Lawrence’s winter emergency shelter ‘in danger of closing’ without volunteer support, city says; paid positions available
The city’s winter emergency shelter is in dire need of volunteers to staff the Community Building on nights when the temperature drops below 35°. Part-time positions paying $18 per hour are also available.
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