UPDATE: Humankind Ministries said Friday it will be able to offer a smaller capacity homeless shelter this winter
After a roundtable discussion Friday morning on options for an emergency shelter, the following statement was released by HumanKind board chairman Scott Eilert and Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty:
HumanKind is optimistic after the Round Table Discussion on emergency shelter that took place this morning. HumanKind is happy to announce that, after discussions with the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, HumanKind will be able to make upgrades to their current facility to at least open at a reduced capacity, serving 100 men and 40 women this winter at 841 N. Market. HumanKind is working diligently to make these safety upgrades with an anticipated open date of November 15. HumanKind is continuing to work with the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County to identify an additional site to accommodate the additional clients who remain unsheltered. Those who wish to volunteer their time or offer donations can contact HumanKind at 316-264-9303.
Together as community partners the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, and HumanKind will come to a viable solution for our homeless neighbors. We are confident in the direction we are headed. Humankind shows appreciation for the recognition our organization received from County Commissioner Ryan Baty and others for stepping up to provide Wichita’s emergency winter shelter for the past 17 years.
(previous story)
Wichita City Council members, Sedgwick County Commissioners, representatives of social service agencies and Kansas lawmakers from the Wichita area got together Friday morning to begin discussions on the development of an emergency homeless shelter for the winter months.
HumanKind Ministries recently announced that it would not be able to operate a shelter this winter because of increasing demand for its services. The shelter has been operated in a former church at Market and Murdock, next to the agency’s main office. The shelter took in more than 450 men between November 2022 and March 2023.
During a roundtable discussion, the group talked about the factors involved in homelessness in the Wichita area. County Commissioner Ryan Baty said it would be inappropriate to believe that this just affects downtown Wichita. He said there are homeless encampments in Goddard, Maize and other locations in the county and it’s an issue affecting the entire community. Wichita police officer Nate Schwiethale of the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) said in the past year there have been more homeless people camping outside and not going to the shelters. He said close to 50 homeless people died on the streets last year, and that could increase with more people camping out and a decline in shelter beds.
Wichita Vice-Mayor Mike Hoheisel said the city is working to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to develop a multi-agency center that will provide shelter and access to community services. City Council member Bryan Frye said the city is working to find a location for the center, and it’s expected to be a $30 million project, so the city will have to find partners to help fund and operate it.
There were discussions about possibly having several locations for an emergency shelter, and the participants agreed to have another meeting in a week to talk about options and funding. County Commissioner Jim Howell said he’s looking forward to more concrete solutions in the next discussion.
The discussion also included Matt Lowe and Abel Frederic from the United Way of the Plains, along with Kansas House members Nick Hoheisel, Henry Helgerson, Emil Bergquist, Sandy Pickert, Cyndi Howerton, and Leah Howell.
