Coalition to End Homelessness Announces Winter Shelter and Service Plan for 2026-2027

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 26 – The Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County has announced the community’s emergency winter shelter plans for the 2026–27 season. As colder weather approaches, community partners are preparing to provide shelter, meals, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness during periods of extreme winter weather.

The Coalition announced the following community partners and services supporting this year’s emergency winter shelter efforts:

• Second Light will provide emergency winter shelter for men and women in need at 1025 N. Main St. from Nov. 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, in addition to its year-round Shelter + Services program. To ensure resources are available when needed most, the shelter model will adjust accordingly:
  • During November, December, and March, Second Light will follow a weather-based model. Emergency Winter Shelter guests will be welcome nightly. Second Light will welcome Emergency Winter Shelter guests during daytime hours if air or windchill temperatures are 32 degrees or below, or when there is rain, sleet, snow, or hail at 50 degrees or lower.
  • Second Light will communicate shelter activation through the Coalition to End Homelessness’ web-based portal, Shelter Connect, to service providers and first responders.
  • During January and February, Second Light will open the emergency winter shelter 24/7 based on expected weather conditions.
• Union Rescue Mission provides year-round emergency overnight shelter for men at 2800 N. Hillside. The Mission will expand its hours and shelter capacity during periods of extreme or life-threatening weather. Daily check-in is from 3-6 p.m. Daily operational updates are shared with the Wichita Police Department and through Shelter Connect.
• The Lord’s Diner will continue to provide on-site meals at Second Light for all emergency winter shelter guests.

“Winter weather creates an especially dangerous situation for our neighbors experiencing homelessness,” said Laura Ritterbush, board chair of the Coalition to End Homelessness. “These winter plans represent a community-wide commitment to ensuring that people have a safe place to go when the weather becomes dangerous, while also connecting them to the services and resources they need to move into stable housing.”

Guided by the vision that homelessness should be rare, brief, and nonrecurring in Sedgwick County, the Coalition to End Homelessness brings together nonprofits, faith communities, government agencies, businesses, and other advocates to address housing barriers, coordinate services, and secure annual funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

If you or someone you know is homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness this winter, dial 2-1-1. A caring team of resource navigators can connect you to community resources to meet your needs.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Cole Schnieders, Communications Manager, (316) 267-1321, ext. 4214, cschnieders@unitedwayplains.org

The Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County, led by United Way of the Plains, works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring for all our neighbors. For more information, visit coalitiontoendhomelessness.org