HumanKind Ministries in Wichita has announced plans to expand its facilities and programs to address the problem of homelessness in the community. The plan is the result of a study that began in 2018 to look at services and outcomes for programs serving the homeless.
HumanKind president and CEO La Tasha St. Arnault said the agency’s current facilities are lacking the space needed to serve the thousands of clients who need services, and she said integrating all of the programs in to one space just makes sense. She said HumanKind will follow a model used in other cities and build new facilities, allowing it to streamline and integrate its programs and services with community partners, enabling them to serve more people more efficiently. She said the goal is to build a stronger community and reach “functional zero” with homelessness in Sedgwick County.
The agency currently has 60 year-round shelter beds and has recently opened a temporary emergency winter shelter that can house up to 250 individuals. The plan announced Monday will increase shelter capacity year-round to 250 beds for individuals, families and those with pets. The plan is to combine the men’s and women’s emergency shelters into a 150-bed no-barrier facility for individuals, expand the programs to year-round services, and create a new Welcome Center for streamlined intake and essential support services. There would also be a 100-bed low-barrier shelter for families, individuals and those with pets.
HumanKind officials plan to announce more details and timeframes in 2024.
