https://youtu.be/W1Cd610H6ME There will not be a homeless shelter in a Lenexa hotel after the city council voted Tuesday night to adopt the planning commission’s denial. The vote was 5-2 to deny the special use permit. A supermajority, six votes from the eight council members and the mayor, would have been needed to overturn the recommendations from city staff and the city’s planning commission that the special use permit for the homeless shelter be denied. After 30 minutes each of presentations from city staff and proponents of the shelter, the council listened to public comments before discussing the ordinance and taking a vote. The shelter would have been run by reStart and would have been located in the current La Quinta Inn just off Interstate 35 and West 95th Street. The La Quinta Inn would have been converted to 50 non-congregate shelter units, 25 transitional housing units and would have offered support services. Non-congregate shelters offer privacy to people who stay in the rooms. The plan also included remodeling a former Denny’s restaurant into storage and potential office space. reStart CEO Stephanie Boyer shared a statement with KSHB 41 following the council’s decision. “We are disappointed by Lenexa’s decision to deny the special use permit for the homeless services center. We will continue to advocate for those experiencing homelessness in Johnson County and are committed to working on effective solutions to end homelessness in the area. We are heartened by the majority of public commenters who spoke out in favor of the project,” Boyer said. Like Councilwomen Arroyo and Eiterich, they see their neighbors struggling, affirm the need, and have the belief that this is the right project at the right time. “Your dedication of time and energy has been inspiring and invaluable. Despite strong public support, fear and stereotypes ultimately prevailed. We believe the awareness generated by [this] has been valuable — data supports the growing need. We urge the community to continue to support initiatives aimed at finding solutions and services for this growing population in Johnson County.” The shelter would have been the first in Johnson County to be a year-round, 24-hour-a-day homeless services center, according to an August news release from Johnson County. Lenexa Mayor Julie Sayers also released a statement after the vote. “On behalf of the Lenexa professional staff, planning commission and governing body, I hope our message is not one of failure by the applicant or rejection by our team, but rather a chance to learn from this process how all the relevant stakeholders in Johnson County can work together to find a countywide solution to the problem of homelessness,” Sayers said. “Our hope is that other cities in the county will adopt codes to accommodate homeless shelters similar to ours, so that options for appropriate properties throughout the county will become available for consideration.” Additionally, she went on to say, “With Johnson County’s leadership, we believe it is possible to find a comprehensive solution to this complicated problem and a property or properties that fits this need but is also equitable to the goals, economics and ability for all cities in Johnson County to deliver services to support it.” https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/lenexa-city-council-votes-down-controversial-proposal-for-homeless-shelter-in-city
Category: Homeless Shelter
Non-resident homeless’ people will be sent to their ‘place of origin’ under Lawrence policy
The City of Lawrence released new details Tuesday about its policy to serve primarily people who are from Douglas County with homelessness resources, and to send others elsewhere. Under the policy, the city provides “non-resident homeless individuals” with short-term assistance and helps them return to their “place of origin,” according to a city news release. Service providers working with the city are expected to follow suit. “We’re not servicing individuals long term that cannot prove that they’re residents, and that’s going to start going into our contracts, because we just don’t have the bandwidth to do that,” Misty Bosch-Hastings, director of the city’s Homeless Solutions Division, said during a meeting last month. The policy has been publicly discussed for at least a month, but the formal announcement of the policy comes a week after the Lawrence City Commission approved putting a question on the ballot to ask Lawrence voters to approve a sales tax to support homelessness services. The majority of people experiencing homelessness who agreed to answer the point-in-time count survey in January reported that they have lived in Lawrence or Douglas County for 12 months or more, according to data from Kristen Egan, Douglas County regional coordinator for the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition. Of the 414 respondents counted in this year’s survey, 289, or 71%, said they’d been in Douglas County for more than 12 months; 51, or 13%, said seven to 12 months; and 69, or 17%, said they’d been here for zero to six months. “Our new policy ensures that we prioritize Douglas County residents while offering short-term support to those from other areas,” Bosch-Hastings said in the city’s release. “By focusing on local needs and providing a pathway for non-residents to return home, we can manage our resources effectively and help more people find stability. This approach reflects our commitment to compassionate, practical solutions for everyone in need.” James Chiselom, director of the Lawrence Community Shelter, shared in May that LCS was already following a policy of allowing only three-day respite stays for people who don’t have Douglas County ties. He said LCS doesn’t require ID, but they get enough information from people to verify who they are and see if they’re from Lawrence. Shelter staff can check the HMIS, or homeless management information system, to see if folks are included in records there. When members of the multidisciplinary Homeless Response Team meet someone who is not from Lawrence or Douglas County, they will follow a five-step process to help them relocate, according to the city’s release: 1. Initial assessment and temporary assistance: “Non-resident homeless individuals seeking assistance will undergo an initial assessment by the Homeless Response Team and, if eligible, they can receive access to emergency shelter, meals and basic services for three business days. The Homeless Response Team will make referrals for services to agencies after the eligibility assessment is complete.” 2. Development of return plan: “If the individuals are eligible for transportation, the Homeless Response Team will make transportation arrangements and coordinate any necessary support services as well as a way to contact relevant agencies in the home community when appropriate.” 3. Coordination with origin town resources: “The Homeless Response Team will work to identify and connect the individual with resources and services in their town of origin.” 4. Transportation assistance: “Efforts will be made to secure the most cost-effective and safe transportation options.” 5. Documentation and follow-up: “All actions taken, plans developed, and assistance provided will be documented by the Homeless Response Team. Follow-up checks will be conducted by the team to ensure the individual reaches their destination and verifies connection has been made to their natural supports or services.” The HRT includes employees of the City of Lawrence, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Artists Helping the Homeless, Lawrence Community Shelter, Homeless Resource Center, Lawrence Police Department and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical. https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/08/27/non-resident-policy-lawrence/
Lenexa Planning votes ‘no’ after hours of feedback on proposed homeless shelter
LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) – It was standing room only at Lenexa City Hall for the city’s Planning Commission meeting. The biggest item on the agenda: a proposed homeless shelter called the Homeless Services Center at 9461 and 9471 Lenexa Dr. Over 70 people registered to speak during the public hearing that was held before the Commission was slated to vote on a permit for the shelter. Hours of testimony before the Commission was mixed. “These homeless are our neighbors,” said David Eland, who spoke in favor of the proposed shelter. “Many of them grew up here.” “We have watched this go through the process from the county to your desk and it was railroaded through without much thought,” said Jeffrey Lysaught, who spoke against the proposed shelter. Several who spoke against the shelter questioned if the proposed location — the former site of a three-story La Quinta Hotel — was the right location for it, while those who spoke for it say there is a need that has to be addressed in the community. “You’ve heard, or will here folks concerned about property values, tax use, resources of the city, but I just don’t think there is anything more important to discuss than the proximity of the shelter to the elementary school and the neighborhood,” said Weston Mills, who spoke against the proposed shelter. “There would be 50, maybe 75 fewer people who would be homeless who would be in this project and helped by it,” said Gregory Hack, who spoke in favor of the proposed shelter. “This project is not going to create problems. It will help solve them.” Ahead of the public comment, Lenexa city staff went into detail on their reasoning behind recommending to deny the proposed shelter’s permit. The full 540-page report can be found in the Planning Commission’s agenda for the Aug. 26 meeting. “This is a difficult issue,” said Lenexa City Manager Beccy Yocham. “A complicated issue.” Stephanie Boyer, the CEO of ReStart, the organization that has been selected to run the Homeless Services Center, also spoke ahead of the public hearing, going over similar information that was shared at two informational public meetings last week held for Johnson County residents. She also addressed some of the concerns in the Lenexa city staff’s report, such as how the Homeless Services Center would differ from Project 1020, a cold weather shelter in Johnson County, and how Lenexa city staff stated the shelter would be inconsistent with the neighborhood. Just after midnight, by a vote of 9 to 0, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the Special Use Permit. The matter is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Lenexa City Council on Sept. 17. Just after noon, Tuesday, August 27, Johnson County Chairman Mike Kelly released the following statement in response to the Planning Commission’s no vote: “Over the past 15 months, the county has partnered with Lenexa staff on our efforts to develop a Homeless Services Center. reStart was brought on earlier this year as the owner/operator to develop this application and address all concerns and questions. We committed to partnership, and through our collaboration, I strongly feel that the application submitted is the right solution at the right time. Therefore, I’m disappointed in the vote of the City of Lenexa Planning Commission and disagree with its rationale. There has never been this amount of community consensus on the problem of homelessness in Johnson County and the need to address it now, while it is at a manageable level. I appreciate that the majority of public opinion, as expressed by Lenexa residents, cities, the faith community, and social service providers has been supportive of this innovative approach to fill a much-needed gap in serving unhoused adults. At this time, the county is weighing all options, which will be discussed among the full board. I look forward to continued conversations on how our county can fill gaps in the housing continuum and ensure everyone who wants to can have a safe place to live and the support they need to thrive in Johnson County. I welcome all city partners, including Lenexa, to that table.” https://www.kctv5.com/2024/08/27/ahead-vote-lenexa-planning-commission-hears-public-proposed-homeless-shelter/
The Homeless Industrial Complex: Making it Tough for Cops
Ever since President Dwight D. Eisenhower coined the term “military industrial complex” in 1961, political activists have been using its paraphrase to scorn other institutions they revile. I just heard an anti-cop activist on the radio advocating for abolishing the police and the prison industrial complex. I rolled my eyes at that phrase slithering out of his ignorant mouth. He was likely inspired by AOC’s tossing this latest bit of insanity against the wall. Just like her other stupid ideas, it won’t stick, but it gives sustenance to the radical leftists. The caller said he believes all cops are racist, and we are now living in a new “Jim Crow” era. It seems leftist activists enjoy using this notion to deride institutions necessary to a free society and capitalist economy: a prison, financial, energy, real estate, etc. industrial complex. But it’s not only leftist who use the term but also conservatives are now using the paraphrase to describe a “homeless industrial complex” (HIC). Though it is a national phenomenon, this burgeoning HIC is ruining primarily west coast cities. While I still cringe at the paraphrase, in this context, it makes sense to me especially as a retired police officer who had to deal with the HIC fallout. Except for unfortunate business owners and residents ignored by city hall and beleaguered by vagrants and their camps, no one deals more with the “homeless” than cops. And as long as the HIC increases in scope, financial means, and political power, these cities’ law enforcers will have to deal with the negative consequences, intended and otherwise. The left has conscripted and corrupted the term “homeless” to gain sympathy for their cause by describing as homeless people not traditionally thought of that way. But, semantics aside, this is the modern state of urban “homelessness.” An expanding taxpayer black hole. So, what’s at the foundation of this perpetual “crisis?” A homeless industrial complex. It’s a situation where “non-profit” organizations slurp up taxpayer dollars, ostensibly, to “fix” the homeless crisis. But in leftist citadels like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and L.A. it never gets fixed, does it? Nope! In fact, it only gets worse. Worse despite, according to bizjournals.com, places like the Puget Sound region, which includes Seattle/King County, spending more than $1 billion (yes, with a “B”) annually. As surely as that money comes in from hardworking taxpayers, it surely goes out to somewhere—to somebody, right? And when we see the problem getting worse, don’t we have to ask where is the money going, how is it being spent, why isn’t it working, and should we be spending more of it? The money is going to state agencies and non-profits, which should be fixing the problem. But they’re not fixing it. That’s obvious, especially to the cops who have to deal with the deteriorating situation. Instead, the HIC seems to be engaged in self-perpetuation—at least at the upper echelons of the “complex.” Some money goes to pay low and mid-level employees’ salaries, which, I’ll concede, helps the economy. But much of the money goes into high-priced salaries of those in administration and director positions and, probably, to leftist political campaigns. According to Safe Seattle’s Facebook page the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) showed $10.6 million in revenue, $58 million in assets, a $177K salary for the executive director, and the next officer below made just shy of $130K. And that was back in 2014. And where can we find the LIHI’s executive director so often, these days? At city council meetings lobbying for issues that would pour even more money into LIHI’s coffers. Which brings up this little tidbit, regarding another tentacle of the HIC. Last year I wrote an article about a Seattle homeless advocacy group, Share/Wheel. I recall some of their representatives used to shield run-aways and juvenile suspects from officers. The group also purportedly requires “clients” take part in demonstrations on behalf of leftist causes in exchange for shelter beds for the night. Backing me up on this was a sane Seattle political activist (a rarity), Christopher Rufo. In 2018, Rufo had to drop out of the city council race due to an onslaught of leftist threats against his wife and children. He wrote, “Even worse, the organization that runs the Licton Springs encampment, SHARE, effectively uses taxpayer money to lobby the city for more taxpayer money. They operate their encampments on a system of ‘participation credits,’ requiring residents to attend political rallies, campaign events, and city council hearings.” Rufo continues, “At last year’s city income tax hearing at the King County Superior Court, I spoke with a homeless woman who lived in a SHARE encampment who explained that if she did not show up to the court proceeding, she would be kicked out of the camp for one week.” Add to that the perpetuation of the “homeless” crisis by the HIC-supporting mayors, city attorneys, and the trend of city and county councils decriminalizing crime, and you see how this excrement lands directly on the cops. It amazes me that the individuals and groups that facilitate the HIC continue to lie about how the homeless crisis, as the left defines it, is “complex.” Solving the current “homeless crisis” is not complex. Any cop will tell you how: begin by enforcing the law. The problem was not as bad before local governments began banning cops from enforcing certain laws against certain people. And the HIC refuses to do the very things that would address the problems. Support enforcing the law against everyone equally—equal justice and adherence to the rule-of-law. But the HIC doesn’t do that because it would mean the demise of their lucrative homeless industrial complex. Now, that equation is not at all complex. Enforcing the law against anyone who breaks it regardless of his or her racial or ethnic identity or socioeconomic status encourages obeying the laws. Until we pay every human being the respect of being responsible for their actions, the Homeless Industrial Complex will continue to flourish, those they purport to help will continue to languish, and cops will continue to do a job that, in many ways, has
Lenexa city staff explain opposition to homeless center
LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) – A day after an informational meeting was held in Johnson County, the City of Lenexa says while there is a need to address homelessness in Johnson County and they want to be part of a solution, the proposed Homeless Services Center would place an “unreasonable burden on this area of the community” and its permit should be denied. City staff cited four additional reasons as to why it is opposed to the proposal, which would bring a Johnson County Homeless Services Center into a converted three-story old La Quinta hotel east of I-35 and just off 95th Street. A list of the four reasons was shared on Thursday night: The proposed use is inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood, which has been identified by the City as a key redevelopment corridor, The proposed use, due to its proximity to the only other homeless shelter for single adults in Johnson County, will create a concentration of negative external impacts in this area of the community which will detrimentally affect nearby properties, The City’s current law enforcement resources are inadequate to serve the proposed use and the additional cost to the City to add the necessary staff places an unreasonable financial burden on the City, which is exacerbated by the loss of tax revenue caused by the conversion of the subject property to a tax-exempt use, and That despite the applicant’s best intentions, the extremely abbreviated timeline under which this project has been conceived and developed has resulted in many of the required elements of a binding Management Plan for the shelter use being unfinalized and/or inadequate, thereby creating substantial uncertainty as to important details about the proposed use, its funding, and ultimately, the overall viability of the shelter operation. The report was posted as Johnson County was hosting another packed informational public meeting, the second one this week. Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly didn’t have time to read the full report before speaking with KCTV 5 following the meeting, but says Johnson County and ReStart, the organization chosen to run the Homeless Services Shelter, have met with Lenexa leaders several times to answer their questions. “I’m really hoping that process can continue, and we are willing to, and I know ReStart is wiling and hopefully be able to address some of those concerns that have caused the city of Lenexa staff to recommend denial at this point,” said Kelly. “I’ve really been impressed with the way Stephanie Boyer (CEO of ReStart) and her team has been able to address quite a few questions and unknowns so far. So I am really hopeful for what they are going to do even in the short, narrow period of time before Monday.” Kelly added he appreciates the time and effort that has gone into the proposed homeless shelter. “I get it,” said Kelly. “Lenexa is being asked to consider something that is novel and unique and hasn’t ever been done in Johnson County before. Because of that, it has already been as administrative lift on Lenexa. Lenexa is an important partner to the county. Not only on this, but on many things in the future. Lenexa and the county are going to grow together. I’ve found it encouraging the way Lenexa has held itself during this process and how the county has handled it, even when the conversations are difficult.” When asked if there is another location under consideration should the permit be denied, Kelly says he just ‘wants to see the process play out’. “Good, bad, or indifferent, we will be looking to, as always, continue to move forward on that entire housing continuum.” ReStart will be speaking at the Lenexa Planning Commission on Monday, as the organization submitted the application for the permit. Members of the public who want to speak at the Aug. 26 Lenexa Planning Commission meeting — where this will be discussed — are encouraged to register online. https://www.kctv5.com/2024/08/23/lenexa-city-staff-explains-opposition-johnson-county-homeless-center/
Johnson County property owners share frustrations at budget meeting
https://lenexashelter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BOCC-Tax-Increase-Video-on-Fox-4-News.mp4 OLATHE, Kan. — Taxpayers let their frustrations fly in a raucous budget meeting Tuesday night in Johnson County. This comes while the county commission tries to increase the budget for fiscal year 2025 and raise property taxes with it. It sent out higher proposed property assessments a few days ago and many of those property owners voiced their disagreement on Tuesday. Some reacted with outbursts to tax hikes and the stance some commissioners are taking. It lasted nearly two hours. What we do know is that if the budget does pass, which every indication is that it will, the average Johnson County property owner will see a more than five percent increase in their taxes next year. While two commissioners believe this is not the way to go, five others disagree not only with their colleagues but also with the majority of the taxpayers who came to voice their concerns. Person after person voicing anger as the Johnson County commission is one step closer to approving the budget for fiscal year 2025. The chair of the commission says this is something that must be done. “How we operate this budget, how we operate this county in the most efficient way possible while also meeting that level of service that the people have said that they want,” Mike Kelly, the chair of the Johnson County Commission said. But not all are on board. In fact, an overwhelming majority, only one person out of more than 30 people stood in support of this budget and one county commissioner is standing with them. “I think tonight was perhaps was a wakeup call – that folks are – they really are at their wit’s end, they cannot afford this,” Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara of the 3rd district said. So, in the end, what is trying to be accomplished is exceeding the revenue neutral rate which will mean higher taxes for people in the state’s most populous county. The final vote on this will take place on August 29. Currently this budget has five votes in support and only two not in favor. So at this point again every indication is that it will pass. That means an increase in taxes for property owners. But as with everything, things can change between now and then. https://fox4kc.com/news/johnson-county-property-owners-share-frustrations-at-budget-meeting/
Lenexa city staff to recommend denial of Johnson County homeless shelter near I-35
For the past several months, Johnson County leaders have been working to develop plans to turn the old La Quinta Inn hotel off of 95th Street and Interstate 35 in Lenexa into the Johnson County homeless services center. Part of that effort includes getting Lenexa city leaders to sign off on the plan, but KSHB 41’s Olivia Acree learned Thursday about a new roadblock in the effort. Ahead of the Lenexa Planning Commission’s review of the proposal on Aug. 26, city staff completed its report, in which they will recommend denial for a special use permit sought by reStart Inc. of the plan. The full staff report is set to be released on Thursday, Aug. 22. A statement on the city’s website read, in part, “… the City of Lenexa verbally informed representatives for the proposed homeless service center in Lenexa of staff’s intention to recommend denial of the pending application to the Planning Commission.” City of Lenexa website The county has plans to purchase the Lenexa La Quinta Inn hotel and had made an agreement with Kansas-City based nonprofit, reStart, to run a homeless services center out of it. In a statement Thursday to KSHB 41, a Johnson County spokesperson said they recently became aware of the recommendation of denial. They also explained that they will receive the staff report explaining the recommendation on Aug. 22. “The City of Lenexa is on the front line of meeting this community need, and we are thankful for the consideration of Lenexa’s governing body in filling this known gap in the continuum of housing services in Johnson County,” the Johnson County spokesperson said in the statement. Johnson County went on to say that reStart is committed to present their plan to the Lenexa Planning Commission on Aug. 26. In a statement, reStart said, “reStart, Inc. is committed to continuing to move the process forward with a presentation to the Lenexa Planning Commission on Aug. 26 and remain steadfast in our commitment to ending homelessness in Johnson County.” The nonprofit also urged Lenexa residents to attend the Aug. 26 planning commission meeting. The item is also slated for review by the full Lenexa City Council on Sept. 17. https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/lenexa-city-staff-to-recommend-denial-of-johnson-county-homeless-shelter-near-i-35
ReStart Inc. forced to close emergency shelter for homeless adults
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City area could soon lose one of its biggest resources for single adults suffering from homelessness. ReStart Inc. CEO Stephanie Boyer said Friday the organization’s emergency 90-bed shelter will likely close in the coming months due to lack of funding. “It breaks my heart,” Boyer said. “It’s absolutely critical to be able to provide the shelter and the services and the safe haven that we do for people.” Boyer said the emergency shelter, which serves as a temporary place for single adults to live and get resources, has been unfunded for years. “Years ago, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development redirected dollars away from emergency shelters and into permanent supportive housing,” Boyer said. Since then, Boyer said reStart’s emergency adult shelter has been relying on community support. “We’ve been losing money for years, and we can’t continue to do that obviously,” Boyer said. Boyer said staff have already started working with current residents at the shelter to come up with an exit plan. The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council had a first reading of an ordinance Thursday night that would provide funding for the program. In the meantime, Boyer said reStart is reaching out to local organizations, foundations and private investors to inquire about funding. “These are citizens in our community, and they need our support,” Boyer said. Twenty-year-old Paul Tyes had been living on the streets before moving into the shelter about six months ago. “Before I came here, I wasn’t really doing anything,” Tyes said. “I was struggling to get money and food.” Case workers have started working with residents to come up with exit plans. Tyes worries about what his next move will be if the shelter closes down. “I’m going to have to find different resources that are available to go to every day, and I know I won’t have as much support as I have here,” Tyes said. https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/restart-inc-forced-to-close-emergency-shelter-for-homeless-adults
Lawrence City Commission approves $267 Million strategic plan to end homelessness; county commission to consider
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved the joint city-county strategic plan to end homelessness. The Douglas County Commission will consider approving the plan during a meeting on Wednesday. The plan, “A Place for Everyone,” breaks the issues into five focus areas: Equity and Inclusion; Affordable Housing; Supportive Housing; Systems; and Emergency Shelter. Staff members first presented the draft plan to the county commission in March 2023. The commissions had a joint meeting in January to hear updates on the plan’s progress. The plan includes an estimate of about $267.77 million for the five-year plan — that breaks down into about $218.3 million for affordable housing; $28.4 million for supportive housing; $21 million for emergency shelter; $45,000 for equity and inclusion and $25,000 for systems. The county’s entire approved 2024 operating budget is $194.74 million, and the city’s total expenditures for 2024 are $472.33 million. The vote to adopt the plan doesn’t obligate the city to fund anything, “but it does say this is the plan that we should be pursuing as we build our plans on an annual basis in a multi year basis for funding,” Lawrence City Manager Craig Owens said. “… It’s giving us an estimate and it’s telling us this is something we need to be planning for if this is our intent.” Alterations inevitably will be made, Owens said. The item had been on the commission’s consent agenda, but Commissioner Lisa Larsen asked that it be pulled for public comment. Several community members spoke to the commission, some calling for the plan to include more on specific issues, such as data collection and substance use treatment; others voiced concerns about property taxes and the estimated cost of implementing the plan. Others thanked the commission for considering the plan and encouraged them to adopt and fund it. Lawrence city commissioners approved the plan with a vote of 5-0. Commissioner Brad Finkeldei said he looked forward to moving from the plan to full implementation. Commissioner Amber Sellers said that “this is one rising tide that can help lift a lot of boats here in this community.” Larsen said she thinks that at some point, “we need to be having conversations about what limitations we can have as a community and the responsibility for this. There’s got to be a limit discussed as to what we can handle as a community.” The agenda item and plan are below. Douglas County commissioners will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at the Douglas County Public Works building, 3755 E. 25th St., to consider approving the plan. The meeting will be available via Zoom. Find the link to join via Zoom at this link. See the full meeting agenda at this link. https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/05/07/citycomm-oks-homelessness-strategic-plan/
A letter to Mayor and City Council Members
Dear Mayor and City Council members: Please vote NO on the request from reStart for funding to operate the homeless shelter in Lenexa. All taxpayers in Johnson County have already pitched in over $10 million for the purchase and operation of the shelter. They have been asked to fund $430,000 over the next eight years to subsidize the operations. So this NOT a one-time expense. What is the true cost of any shortfalls? Who will pay for those cities not participating. Page 5 of the packet on this item shows that it’s a proposal for us taxpayers to fund the shelter for the next 8 years. And… the per capita cost increases each of those 8 years. Page 8 of the packet shows that 50 people were counted as “unsheltered” in Johnson County on January 24 of this year. Unfortunately, those 50 people will NOT receive priority in the shelter. On July 25, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted NOT to check for ties to Johnson County when allowing for residence in the shelter. In that same July 25 meeting, County Commissioners voted to allow residence in the shelter for people in our country illegally. So a room in the shelter could house someone in our country illegally, while there may be “no room at the inn” for someone from Johnson County, who’s living out of their car or in a tent. Your duty as mayor and city council members is to act in the best interests of Lenexa residents. Giving money to an organization that gives the same priority to those outside of Johnson County – and those who aren’t even citizens – is contrary to our best interests. It’s just wrong. So… please vote NO on this request to spend our tax dollars when it’s not in the best interests of your constituents.