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Homeless Programs

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In April 2006, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County jointly appointed a Task Force to End Chronic Homelessness (TECH). The TECH produced the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness which includes five recommendations.

The Housing First program is one of the recommendations from the TECH report and is funded by the City and County. It provides rent and utility payments to persons meeting the HUD definition of chronic homelessness. City and County staff oversee the leasing component of the program; case managers from several community programs provide on-going case management assistance to program participants.

The City of Wichita also provides funding to local service providers to provide shelter and homeless prevention services. These services are funded from the HEARTH Act Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program.

In addition to shelter and prevention services, ESG funds are also used for the Rapid Re-Housing program which pays for rent and utilities necessary to house homeless persons in private housing.

Homeless Prevention

Homeless Prevention services include payment of delinquent rent or utilities, for persons facing imminent action. It does not provide payment of delinquent mortgages.

The City has contracted with the Center of Hope and the Salvation Army to administer the Homeless Prevention program.

Rapid Re-Housing

The Rapid Re-Housing program provides rent and utility assistance for homeless persons, to enable them to move into permanent housing. Referrals can come from one of the following agencies:

  • Wichita Police Department Homeless Outreach Team (H.O.T.)
  • United Methodist Open Door
  • USD 259
  • The Salvation Army
  • Catholic Charities
  • Wichita Children's Home
  • Wichita Family Crisis Center (formerly YWCA)
  • Veterans Administration
  • HumanKind Ministries
  • Sedgwick County

Impact ICT-CoC

Established in 1994, this group consists of local/state governmental agencies, non-profits, faith-based organizations, formerly homeless persons, school districts, businesses, etc.

The purpose of the Impact ICT-CoC is to provide the Wichita Sedgwick County community with leadership and advocacy on behalf of the homeless population.