Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County
Working to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring for all our neighbors.
Are you homeless or facing the possibility of homelessness and looking for help? Dial 2-1-1 today. Our caring team of call specialists can connect you to community resources to meet your needs.
WORKING TOGETHER TO END HOMELESSNESS
Home. It’s where we lay our head at night. Where we cook dinner with family. Where we feel the most safe and secure. Everything starts at home. But what if you have no home? Without a home, it’s hard to keep a job. Without a job, it’s hard to keep a home.
A lack of steady income, insufficient affordable housing, mental health, domestic violence, addiction – the reasons for homelessness are endless and far too great for one organization to tackle alone.
United Way is bringing together key players to end homelessness. United Way is the lead agency for the Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County, comprised of nonprofits; faith community; federal, state, and local governments; businesses; and other community advocates. Together, the coalition works to resolve homelessness by identifying and eliminating barriers to housing, coordinating and providing client directed services and housing, and annually applying for grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Want to join the coalition?
Contact the Coalition to End Homelessness team at endhomelessness@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321.
Sign up to receive the coalition’s weekly email digest with news, events and updates about local efforts to end homelessness.
INTRODUCING NEXTENANT
Landlords: NEXTenant is Your Connection to Renters
NEXTenant is a free, online listing service that helps landlords and property managers connect with renters who are housing insecure or homeless and ready to take the next step toward stable housing. Through partnerships with case managers and housing navigators, NEXTenant ensures tenants are supported every step of the way, helping you reduce risk, decrease unit turnover, and create stronger, more stable rental relationships.
Benefits of NEXTenant:
- Quick Tenant Placement: List your available units on a specialized platform used by case managers working with individuals who are ready to rent.
- Reduced Risk: Tenants receive wraparound support, helping them stay housed and lowering turnover.
- Free, Specialized Listing Service: Advertise your units at no cost.
- Ongoing Communication: Clear, consistent communication between the case manager, tenant, and property manager throughout the housing placement process and tenancy.
- Education & Resources: Access tools to help you manage and understand the needs of supported tenants.
- Eviction Prevention Support: Mediation and intervention resources are available if issues arise.
- Satisfaction knowing you’re helping create a stronger community for all.
For more information or to get started, contact Shylee Ziad, United Way of the Plains Continuum of Care Planning Associate, at sziad@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321, ext. 4122.
EVERYBODY COUNTS:
ANNUAL POINT-IN-TIME HOMELESS COUNT
Each year, United Way coordinates a count of the homeless population. Volunteers hit the streets and visit shelters over a 24-hour period to interview people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Those in shelter are counted through the coalition’s Homeless Management Information System. It’s about more than just getting a count. It’s about learning why individuals are homeless, what services they need to succeed and connecting our neighbors back to resources. The count is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant, but the data also helps the Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County plan programming, make informed funding decisions and measure the progress of their work.
Point-in-Time Count Report
Download the results of our most recent Wichita-Sedgwick County Point-in-Time Homeless Count below. This blog post provides further insights into the 2025 results.
For more information regarding past counts, please contact the Coalition to End Homelessness team at endhomelessness@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321.
FY2025 CONTINUUM OF CARE GRANT COMPETITION
On behalf of the Coalition to End Homelessness, United Way of the Plains coordinates an annual response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Notice of Funding Opportunity to fund housing and supportive services to end homelessness.
On Dec. 8, 2025, HUD withdrew its previously issued 2025 CoC Program NOFO to make updates. The Coalition to End Homelessness will continue to monitor HUD’s webpages and Grants.gov for the release of the updated version of the NOFO. You can view HUD’s updates and information on the CoC Program here: https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc.
Questions?
Contact Cole Schnieders, United Way Continuum of Care Planning Manager, at cschnieders@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321, ext. 4214.
LIVE UNITED BLOG: HOMELESS SERVICES
Read our latest blog posts about our work in homeless services.
2025 COALITION BOARD
The board directs the coalition and provides oversight. The current board is made up of 19 seats, each representing different parts of the coalition’s general membership. The board is elected by the coalition’s voting membership.
Andy Houltberg, Chair
Breakthrough | Episcopal Social Services
Laura Ritterbush, Vice Chair
Goodwill Industries of Kansas
Sally Stang, Past Chair
City of Wichita Housing and Community Services
Jennifer Avery
Wichita Children’s Home
Kenny Barker
Robert. J. Dole VA Medical Center
Brent Castillo
Dondlinger Construction
Jason Chelf
SACK
Stephanie Cline
United Healthcare
Levon Cole-Wilson
Community Volunteer
Erica Davis
HumanKind Ministries
Steve Dixon
P.B. Hoidale
Angie Elliot
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Danielle Johnson
Wichita Habitat for Humanity
Kenadee Kessler
Community Volunteer
Denise Lawson
USD 259 – Wichita Public Schools
Matt Lowe
United of the Plains (non-voting member)
Kent Miracle
Community Volunteer
Jen Parker
COMCARE
Andrea Scarpelli
Community Volunteer
Jessica Wingler
Catholic Charities Wichita
SPONSORS
Special thanks to these generous organizations for supporting our efforts to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring for all our neighbors in Sedgwick County.
QUESTIONS?
The Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County is managed by Matt Lowe, United Way of the Plains Director of Community Impact. For more information, contact Matt at mlowe@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321, ext. 4233.
OUR FOCUS
Our focus is on health, education, financial stability and basic needs—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Click below to learn more about what we’re doing, the programs we invest in and our lasting impact in each area.
