Mackenzie Clark / Lawrence Times
Some of the people living at the campsite behind the Amtrak station said Friday that they knew the City of Lawrence would likely soon close the camp. “All communities come to an end,” one said.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
The City of Lawrence announced Friday that it is closing the camp where people are living behind the Amtrak Station in East Lawrence.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
In response to the latest point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County, the City of Lawrence says employees are making individual connections with people, leading to “powerful milestones of impact.”
The latest point-in-time count numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County show a count just slightly higher than 2020, the previous record year.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Community Shelter board members shared concerns Thursday about the shelter’s funding, which could rely upon voters approving a sales tax increase. Meanwhile, the city is working on limiting homelessness services to people who have local ties.
The City of Lawrence and Douglas County are looking to establish a shelter for families experiencing homelessness, and they’ll be one step closer to that goal if a $750,000 budget request gets approved.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
The Lawrence city manager’s proposed budget for 2025 would increase the property tax rate, and it proposes asking voters to double the .05% affordable housing sales tax to support homelessness initiatives. It would also cut some of Parks & Rec’s budget.
A bill in the Kansas Legislature would have provided millions of dollars to build homeless shelters across the state. But lawmakers let the bill stall in committee and left Topeka for the year without taking any meaningful action to address the growing problem.
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will hear a report on how Bert Nash has used city funding for its homeless outreach services. They’ll also hear an update on the land development code rewrite.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
As the season’s first heat advisory goes into effect Monday and temps hit 100°, people living outside will be able to seek refuge at the Lawrence Community Shelter. That’s one of many changes under the new director’s watch.
