Sedgwick County Commissioners have voted to delay action until next week on funding to help support an emergency homeless shelter for this winter.
County Manager Tom Stolz told commissioners Wednesday that he needs to have discussions with Wichita City Manager Robert Layton and city staff on the details of the funding. The City Council voted Tuesday to approve a budget of $685,000 to fund a shelter for 22 weeks. Humankind Ministries will operate the shelter and provide $200,000 of the cost.
Commissioner Ryan Baty said he has heard feedback from the community about the shelter and the decision to place it in the former Fundamental Learning Center near 21st and Grove. Baty said this is not a perfect location and he’s not sure if a perfect location exists. He said it is a challenging location but the balance is in saving lives, pointing out that 48 homeless people died in downtown Wichita last winter. Baty said the conversation is not limited to the emergency shelter and there will have to be a collaborative response to the issue of homelessness. He said the county will be at the table for those discussions.
Residents of the Northeast Millair neighborhood and others raised concerns at Tuesday’s City Council meeting about having the shelter in their area, even if it is temporary. They raised concerns about the impact on children who attend a nearby learning center and the Boys and Girls Club.
County Commissioners plan more discussions at their next meeting on November 15th, and they agreed that more time is needed before they make a decision on funding for the shelter.
