Homeless Services

No one should be homeless. Ever. We’re working to make sure everyone has the opportunity and resources for long term, stable housing.

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.

IMPACT ICT CONTINUUM OF CARE

Impact ICT works year-round with one common goal: to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring for all our neighbors.

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 tackle homelessness at it’s root causes. United Way is the lead agency for Impact ICT, a coalition of 170+ people representing: nonprofits; faith community; federal, state, and local governments; businesses; and other community advocates. Together, the coalition works to resolve homelessness by identifying and addressing barriers to permanent housing, coordinating resources and annually applying for grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Want to join the coalition? Contact Cole Schnieders, Continuum of Care Planning Manager, United Way of the Plains, at cschnieders@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321.

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 homelessness. It’s about more than just getting a count. It’s about learning why individuals are homeless and what services they need to succeed. Sure, it’s a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant, but the data also helps Impact ICT plan programming, make informed funding decisions and measure the progress of their work.

Point-in-Time survey materials, including the survey and maps.

POINT-IN-TIME COUNT REPORT

View results of our most recent Wichita-Sedgwick County Point-in-Time Homeless Count below. For more information regarding past counts, please contact Cole Schnieders, Continuum of Care Planning Manager, at cschnieders@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321 ext. 4214.

RESULTS ON THE HOME FRONT

Impact ICT’s work is moving people off the streets into stable, affordable housing. Results from 2021.

0
individuals were identified as homeless through the annual point in time count. (Unsheltered individuals were not counted in 2021 due to COVID-19.)
0
individuals were served by Impact ICT members through emergency shelter, transitional housing, street outreach and housing services.
0
individuals were housed or kept in housing.
0
Average days of homelessness per person – down a full week since 2020.
$0
million dollar grant from HUD, submitted by United Way of the Plains with the help of the coalition, was renewed to fund 14 vital homeless service programs in Sedgwick County.

2022 IMPACT ICT CONTINUUM OF CARE ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Board guides the direction of the Impact ICT and provides oversight. The current board is made up of ten chairs, each representing a different service area relating to homelessness. The board is elected by the CoC membership.

Sally Stang, Board Chair
Wichita Housing and Community Services

Soutdaly Sysavath, Vice Chair
Wichita Children’s Home

LaTasha St. Arnault, Secretary
HumanKind Ministries

Officer Nate Schwiethale, At-Large
Wichita Police Department

Kenny Barker
Robert. J. Dole VA

Tracey Gay
Wichita Family Crisis Center

Chad Harmon
Substance Abuse Center of Kansas

Teresa Lovelady
HealthCore

Richard Patterson
Breakthrough-Episcopal Social Services

Major Nancy Powers
The Salvation Army of South Central Kansas

Cole Schnieders
United Way of the Plains

Jaimie Williams
COMCARE

FUND THE FIGHT AGAINST HOMELESSNESS

Your gift to United Way helps individuals and families facing homelessness in our community.

OUR FOCUS

Our focus is on healtheducationfinancial 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.