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
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. Through collective impact, United Way is bringing together key players to tackle homelessness at it’s root causes. United Way is the lead agency for Impact ICT – CoC, a coalition of 170+ people representing: nonprofits; faith community; federal, state, and local governments; businesses; and other community advocates.
Impact ICT – CoC works year-round with one common goal: to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
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.
2020 Impact ICT – CoC Annual Meeting
The 2020 Impact ICT – CoC Annual Meeting was held virtually on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Topics included:
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation: Kansas Eviction Prevention Program and Other Housing Resources
- The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Leased Housing: National and Local Surveys
- New Resource: 316 Hotel Project
- New Resource: Wichita Housing Authority Landlord Incentive Program (WHALIP)
Handouts:
- 2020 Cost of Housing: Kansas Out-of-Reach Report
- 2020 Cost of Housing: National Out-of-Reach Report
- Impact of COVID-19 on Housing Providers Infographic
- Pew Research Center: Economic Fallout from COVID-19…
- Kansas Eviction Prevention Program PowerPoint
- Kansas Eviction Prevention Program – Fact Sheet
- Kansas Eviction Prevention Program – Tenant Application
- Impact ICT – CoC 2021 Meeting Dates
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 – CoC plan programming, make informed funding decisions and measure the progress of their work.
WHO IS THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY?
According to the 2020 Point-In-Time Homeless Count…
Adults
Up from 482 in 2019.
Children
Down from 112 in 2019.
Male
26.7% Female
White
27.9% African American; Other races >5% each
Veterans
Down from 11.8% in 2019.*
Domestic Violence Survivors
Equal to 2019.*
Have a Serious Mental Illness
Up from 42.4% in 2019.*
Have a Substance Use Disorder
Up from 38.5% in 2019.*
*Multiple responses were possible
Overview of Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County
A collaboration between the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and United Way of the Plains. Objectives included identifying terminology used to provide homeless services, describe the current homeless situation in our community and identify best practices/promising practices models.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) GRANT
United Way coordinates the annual grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for funding of homeless services at local providers. A panel of community representatives collaborate to review and rank project applications.
2021 HUD Grant Application
2021 Ranking & Review Process Overview
2021 Impact-ICT Application Calendar (9-7-21)
CoC Program Competition Resource Hub
2021 Ranking and Review Thresholds
HUD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
RESULTS ON THE HOME FRONT
Impact ICT – CoC’s work is moving people off the streets into stable, affordable housing. Results from 2020.
Homeless Individuals
up from 593 in 2019
Chronically Homeless Individuals
up from 20 in 2019
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.
