Wichita – Sedgwick County 2023 Point-In-Time Homeless Count Results Released

Note: As of January 2024, Impact ICT – Continuum of Care is known as the Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County. Learn more at unitedwayplains.org/coalition.

The annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Homeless Count is a national effort undertaken once a year by professionals and volunteers to count those who are currently homeless in communities across the United States. The results provide a snapshot of persons encountered during the one-day count and are used to identify resources needed to address this important issue, make local funding decisions, study trends and increase awareness about those who don’t have shelter. The Impact ICT Continuum of Care (CoC) conducts this survey in Wichita – Sedgwick County for one 24-hour period. It is coordinated and managed by United Way of the Plains. The results are reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and published on their website.

When was this year’s count?

The nationwide PIT count is typically conducted during the last ten days of January. This year, the count for Wichita-Sedgwick County was held January 25-26, 2023.

Key facts in this year’s count

• In Wichita-Sedgwick County, 702 persons were identified as homeless (those living in emergency shelter, transitional housing, safe haven, or places not meant for human habitation such as in cars or on the streets).
• The number of homeless persons increased by 12 persons, or 1.7%, when compared with 2022.
• Of the 702 individuals identified as homeless, 150 or 21% were unsheltered.

What factors can influence the annual count?

• Fluctuating economic conditions
• Local and national increases in housing costs
• Improvements in count methodology, such as outreach to more locations
• Decreases in homelessness prevention funds post pandemic
• Weather conditions

Who conducted the count?

The 2023 PIT Homeless Count was made possible by local housing and homeless providers, including the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and other nonprofit agency volunteers. Community volunteers also participated, including students from Wichita State University. A total of 80 volunteers assisted with the survey interviews, data collection and logistics.

What is the IMPACT ICT Continuum of Care (CoC) coalition?

The Impact ICT CoC is a coalition of 381 people representing nonprofits; the faith community; federal, state, and local governments; businesses; and other community advocates. As part of their efforts to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring, the coalition coordinates grant funding from HUD. Through a $2.8 million HUD grant, 14 homeless service programs are funded in Sedgwick County for 2022 – 2023. They include:

• Breakthrough Episcopal Social Services: Rapid Re-Housing Program
• Catholic Charities: Rapid Re-Housing Program
• HumanKind Ministries: Villa Central, Villa Courts and Villa North
• Mental Health Association of south central Kansas: Dual Diagnosis Permanent Supportive Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing Consolidated
• Sedgwick County COMCARE: Shelter Plus Care Consolidated
• The Salvation Army: TH – RHH Program
• United Way of the Plains: Coordinated Entry – Domestic Violence Database, CoC Planning Project, Coordinated Entry – Homeless Management Information System and Coordinated Entry – SSO
• United Methodist Open Door: Family Rapid Re-Housing

2022 facts shared by Impact ICT CoC:

• 1,168 individuals were housed or kept in housing
• The average days of homelessness per person was 41 days (compared to 70 days in 2021)
• 13% of persons who were housed within the last two years returned to homelessness

Where can I learn more?

Visit our homeless services webpage. You can also download a report of the 2023 Point in Time Count results.