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.
Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
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.
Another population which the City is seeking to assist is the growing number of homeless youth. A Mayor-led task force has met to identify issues and solutions to address this population and their unique needs. A proposal is currently under consideration for funding.
More Information
The Wichita community also has a number of resources for homeless persons, many of which are listed in the Homeless Services Brochure which is produced by the Wichita Police Department Homeless Outreach Team (HOT).
Wichita Police HOT
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.
Center of Hope
Find out if you're eligible and make an appointment and apply for assistance.
P: (316) 267-0222
Visit website
Salvation Army
Find out if you're eligible and make an appointment and apply for assistance.
P: (316) 263-2196
Visit website
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:
- United Methodist Open Door
- USD 259
- The Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities
- Wichita Children's Home
- Wichita Family Crisis Center (formerly YWCA)
- Veterans Administration
- Inter-Faith Ministries
- Sedgwick County
