Homelessness

The entrance to the Community Resource Center at Kansas City Public Library Central Branch in Kansas City, MO. (Chase Castor | Flatland.)

Specialized Staff Serving Influx of Homeless Library Patrons

People experiencing homelessness in Kansas City often find refuge in public libraries when shelter options are limited during the day. However, metro-area library systems also provide assistance that goes beyond temporary protection from the weather.  In fact, the Kansas City Public Library has built an entire department around helping the city’s unhoused, providing a range…

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Ken Simard was homeless for seven years. He slept in an encampment under a Blue Parkway bridge.

Neighborhood Blocks a Low-Barrier Shelter Addressing Homelessness in Kansas City

Kansas City is debating how to spend federal funds to shelter chronically homeless people. But plans for a new low-barrier shelter faced stiff opposition.

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A person stands on the sidewalk near a bus stop just south of the Lawrence Public Library.

As Homelessness Surges, Kansas Communities Look to Lawrence 

Lawrence has invested in services to address homelessness. But some say that has that made it a tempting place to “dump” unhoused people from other communities.

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Profile picture of a smiling Logan Williams.

Who Are the Houseless? Their Stories, in Their Words  

Who are the houseless in Kansas City? Flatland asked seven houseless people to share their stories in their words. This is what they had to say.

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Older Youth Case Manager Joe Brecht shares samples of reTreats gourmet dog treats at The City Market on a Sunday morning.

Dog Treats Help Unhoused Youth ReStart Their Lives

A reStart program that produces dog treats also provides an opportunity for houseless people to gain valuable work experience and a pathway to new homes.

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Members of Kansas City Heroes, a local nonprofit, serving a free meal to unhoused individuals on Oct. 4. The organization hosts this dinner every Tuesday in Washington Square Park.

Zero KC Wants to End Houselessness in Five Years But Will Require More Commitment from Leaders

Kansas City leaders recently announced a five-year plan to end houselessness that they’re calling Zero KC. It faces many challenges in achieving that goal.

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Rabbi David Glickman of Congregation Beth Shalom tells a community gathering at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection that “something better” than the current piecemeal ways of dealing with homelessness and mental health crises is possible in Johnson County.

Good Faith Network Targets Homelessness and Mental Health

Aa newly formed interfaith network of 20 congregations is focusing on addressing homelessness and mental health in Johnson County.

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After picking up some supplies from Alice DelBosque of Angel Hearts Rescue Inc., Sabir and his pet Traxie walk off on their own.

curiousKC | What Help Is There for Unhoused Pet Owners?

In Kansas City, more and more folks find themselves unhoused with pets. Many in the charitable sector are seeing the need for more pet friendly options.

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Lotus Care House is a 1970s era hotel that is being converted into transitional housing and a service center for the homeless. It is part of a "housing first" approach to addressing homelessness in Kansas City.

Houseless Hotel: A ‘Housing First’ Solution for Those Without Homes

Lotus Care House is a 1970s era hotel that is being converted into transitional housing and a service center for the homeless. It is part of a “housing first” approach to addressing homelessness in Kansas City.

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Plastic bins that Kansas City had available to begin a pilot program offering safe storage for houseless people. Fifty new, similar ones are arriving this week.

Dilemma for the Houseless: ‘Where Do I Keep My Stuff?’

Storage space, somewhere to securely keep personal belongings, has long been an issue for houseless people. A new program in Kansas City hopes to address that problem.

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