The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved annexing and rezoning land north of city limits, where a developer plans to build 300 or more market-rate homes.
A developer will ask the Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday to approve annexing and rezoning land north of city limits to build 300 or more market-rate homes.
Statistics and survey responses made clear that affordable housing is Lawrence’s most pressing need in order to alleviate and prevent homelessness, consultants told the city commission on Tuesday.
Following backlash to legislation that would have nullified local government anti-discrimination protections, lawmakers voted to strike the offending section from an anti-discrimination bill.
The Veterans Community Project, located at 89th and Troost, is dedicated to moving unhoused veterans off the streets. The organization owns a village of tiny homes that houses veterans free of charge and without a deadline to move out.
Rep. Patrick Penn introduced a section of a bill that would strike down local government measures against discrimination and forbid cities from adopting restraints on discrimination beyond state or federal law.
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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.
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.
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.
