Homelessness & Housing

Multi-story brick building with industrial windows and external metal fire escape stairs in an urban setting.

This portion of the Wichita Forward proposal provides a dedicated, long-term funding source to support homelessness response, shelter operations, housing stability, and pathways to permanent housing for vulnerable residents.

The focus is on meeting immediate needs while also building sustainable, long-term solutions that help people regain stability and remain housed.

Funding

Up to $150M is designated for homelessness and housing initiatives. This funding combines near-term support (shelter operations and services) with longer-term efforts that improve housing stability and access.

Why it matters

Federal ARPA funding that currently supports local homelessness services expires in fall 2026 so the need is urgent. Without a sustainable funding source in place, Wichita risks losing critical services that help people stay safe and begin the transition out of homelessness.

Short-term fixes alone cannot address the underlying challenges of housing instability. Stable, ongoing resources are needed to ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to shelter, supportive services and clear pathways to permanent housing.

Key Facts

Demand for shelter and housing services increases during winter months, but effective responses require year-round funding.
This proposal builds on existing City programs and community partnerships, rather than starting from scratch.
A restricted fund would be established so that resources are dedicated to homelessness and housing, with earnings reinvested to support services long-term.