1. What is Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition?

Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition (KSHC) is the preeminent statewide membership organization dedicated exclusively to preventing and ending homelessness throughout Kansas. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since the early 2000s, KSHC functions as the connective tissue and strategic coordinator for Kansas’s fragmented homeless services system—bringing together emergency shelters, transitional housing providers, permanent supportive housing programs, rapid rehousing agencies, homelessness prevention services, Continuums of Care (CoCs), local and state government agencies, healthcare providers, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, faith-based organizations, advocates, researchers, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. Unlike direct service providers that operate shelters or housing programs, KSHC operates at the systems level—strengthening capacity of service providers, facilitating coordination and collaboration, advancing evidence-based policies and practices, conducting research and data analysis, and mobilizing unified advocacy addressing root causes and systemic barriers that create and perpetuate homelessness across Kansas.

The organization’s membership encompasses the full spectrum of stakeholders engaged in homelessness response and prevention including emergency shelters providing immediate safety and crisis intervention for people experiencing literal homelessness; transitional housing programs offering time-limited supportive housing with wraparound services; permanent supportive housing providers delivering Housing First with ongoing support for people experiencing chronic homelessness; rapid rehousing programs moving people quickly from homelessness into permanent housing with short-term rental assistance and services; homelessness prevention services helping households at imminent risk avoid entering homelessness; Continuums of Care (CoCs) that are regional collaborative bodies planning and coordinating homeless services in designated geographic areas; local government agencies including housing authorities, community development departments, and social services agencies; healthcare organizations addressing health needs of people experiencing homelessness; mental health and substance abuse treatment providers; domestic violence service providers; youth services organizations addressing unaccompanied youth and young adult homelessness; veteran service providers; faith-based organizations operating shelters and services; advocates and policy organizations; researchers and academic institutions studying homelessness; and individuals with lived experience of homelessness contributing invaluable perspective and leadership. This comprehensive membership base positions KSHC as unique convener capable of facilitating collaboration across sectors, geographies, and philosophies—creating coordinated responses that fragmented individual efforts cannot achieve.

KSHC’s approach emphasizes building systems and infrastructure rather than operating programs directly. The organization invests in training service providers so they deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed, Housing First interventions effectively; provides technical assistance helping organizations navigate complex federal funding requirements, implement coordinated entry systems, and improve data quality; facilitates coordination preventing service gaps and duplication while ensuring seamless client experiences across multiple providers; advocates for policy changes improving funding, removing regulatory barriers, and aligning state policy with federal best practices; conducts research and data analysis documenting homelessness trends, demonstrating program effectiveness, and identifying system gaps; and convenes stakeholders creating spaces for knowledge sharing, relationship building, problem-solving, and strategic planning. This systems-building approach recognizes that ending homelessness requires not only excellent individual programs but also coordinated systems, adequate resources, supportive policies, shared data and accountability, and collective will—infrastructure that KSHC creates and sustains.

The organization serves all 105 Kansas counties with intentional attention to both urban centers and rural communities. While Kansas’s homeless population concentrates in urban areas—Wichita (largest city, Sedgwick County), Kansas City metro (Wyandotte and Johnson Counties), Topeka (state capital, Shawnee County), Lawrence (Douglas County)—rural homelessness affects small towns and agricultural communities throughout the state, often invisible and unserved due to lack of specialized homeless services, geographic isolation, and service provider capacity constraints. KSHC recognizes that homelessness manifests differently and requires different responses in dense urban environments with multiple service providers versus sparsely populated rural counties with limited resources, that coordinated entry systems designed for cities may not translate to rural contexts, that rural homeless individuals may stay temporarily with friends/family (doubling up) or live in cars, campgrounds, or inadequate housing rather than accessing distant urban shelters, and that rural service providers need tailored training, technical assistance, and peer support addressing their unique challenges. KSHC’s statewide approach ensures that both urban and rural Kansas communities benefit from best practices, coordination, advocacy, and capacity building.

Core Functions & Value Proposition

KSHC’s work encompasses four interconnected core functions that together create comprehensive support ecosystem for Kansas homeless services system. Education and training builds capacity of service providers, government staff, and stakeholders through workshops, conferences, webinars, and technical assistance addressing Housing First implementation, trauma-informed care, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing best practices, coordinated entry system development and operation, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data quality and utilization, federal funding compliance (CoC Program, Emergency Solutions Grants, HUD regulations), fair housing and client rights, mental health and substance abuse services integration, employment and income supports, and specialized populations (youth, families, veterans, chronic homelessness). Advocacy and policy mobilizes unified voice advancing state and federal policies supporting homelessness prevention and response including increased funding for homeless services and affordable housing, regulatory improvements streamlining program implementation, tenant protections and eviction prevention, healthcare and behavioral health integration, criminal justice reform addressing criminalization of homelessness, and alignment of state policies with federal best practices and evidence-based approaches.

Coordination and collaboration facilitates statewide and regional coordination through CoC support and coordination, statewide strategic planning, best practice dissemination and technical assistance, peer learning networks connecting providers across Kansas, partnership development and facilitation, and prevention of service duplication while identifying and addressing service gaps. Data and research produces evidence informing policy and practice through annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count coordinating one-night enumeration of people experiencing homelessness across Kansas, HMIS data analysis tracking system performance and outcomes, research on homelessness trends, causes, and effective interventions, program evaluation documenting what works and what doesn’t, and policy analysis assessing impact of proposed or existing policies. These functions work synergistically: data informs advocacy priorities and training needs, training improves coordination and data quality, coordination amplifies advocacy impact, and advocacy victories create resources enabling better training and services.

Organizational Structure & Governance

KSHC operates with staff leadership (Executive Director leading organizational strategy, programs, advocacy, and external relationships) supported by program staff addressing training, coordination, data, and communications, and Board of Directors elected by membership providing governance, strategic direction, fundraising support, and accountability. Board composition typically reflects membership diversity including direct service providers (shelter operators, housing program managers), CoC representatives, government officials, healthcare and behavioral health providers, advocates, people with lived experience, and allied stakeholders from across Kansas. The organization is governed by bylaws establishing membership structure, board elections, voting procedures, and organizational policies ensuring democratic governance and member accountability. As 501(c)(3) charitable organization, KSHC files annual Form 990 disclosing finances, governance, and activities—providing transparency to members, donors, and public.

Funding comes from diverse sources including membership dues (scaled to organizational size), grants from federal agencies (especially HUD technical assistance funding), state government contracts, foundation grants from national and Kansas foundations supporting homelessness work, corporate sponsorships (particularly from financial institutions with Community Reinvestment Act obligations), training and event fees, and individual donations. This diversified funding model provides financial stability while maintaining organizational independence and responsiveness to member priorities. KSHC’s lean organizational structure maximizes resources directed toward mission-critical functions rather than excessive overhead, with staff compensation competitive enough to attract and retain talent while reflecting nonprofit sector norms and fiscal responsibility.

2. History, Context & Homelessness in Kansas

Understanding Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition requires examining the organization’s origins and the broader context of homelessness in Kansas—its causes, populations affected, geographic distribution, service system evolution, and ongoing challenges. KSHC emerged in the early 2000s during a period when homelessness response systems nationwide were transitioning from emergency shelter-focused models toward Housing First and rapid rehousing approaches emphasizing quick movement into permanent housing with supportive services. Federal policy shifts under the George W. Bush administration’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and continuing through subsequent administrations increasingly emphasized evidence-based practices, coordinated community responses through Continuums of Care, data-driven accountability through performance measurement, and outcome-oriented funding prioritizing housing placements over shelter bed-nights. Kansas homeless service providers and advocates recognized that the state lacked coordinating infrastructure helping providers navigate these federal shifts, share best practices, coordinate services, and mobilize unified advocacy for state resources complementing federal funding.

Founding & Early Development

KSHC was established by coalition of Kansas homeless service providers, CoC leaders, advocates, and stakeholders who saw need for statewide organization providing functions no single entity could fulfill: neutral convener bringing together diverse organizations and perspectives, trainer and capacity builder helping providers implement best practices, policy advocate representing sector’s collective interests, and data coordinator producing statewide homelessness information. Early priorities included establishing organizational infrastructure and governance, recruiting members across Kansas including urban and rural providers, convening initial Kansas Homeless Summit creating space for statewide dialogue, beginning policy advocacy at state level for increased funding and supportive policies, and connecting Kansas providers to national homeless service networks and technical assistance resources. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, KSHC matured from startup initiative to established statewide intermediary, expanding membership, developing training programs, building policy influence, coordinating statewide Point-in-Time counts, and becoming recognized voice on homelessness issues by state legislators, agency officials, media, and other stakeholders.

Homelessness in Kansas: Scope & Characteristics

Homelessness in Kansas reflects both national trends and state-specific factors. According to most recent Point-in-Time (PIT) count data (annual one-night count conducted each January), Kansas has approximately 1,500-2,500 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, with numbers fluctuating based on economic conditions, housing affordability, weather, and counting methodology. This represents significant undercount of true homelessness prevalence because PIT counts miss people staying temporarily with others (doubled up), living in cars or inadequate housing, or in rural areas where enumerators cannot reach. Over the course of a year, substantially more people—likely 10,000-15,000+ Kansans—experience homelessness at some point, with many episodes brief but traumatic. Kansas homelessness demographics include families with children (approximately 30-40% of homeless population, often staying in family shelters or doubled up rather than on streets), single adults (40-50%, including both chronically homeless individuals and people experiencing situational homelessness), unaccompanied youth and young adults under 25 (10-15%, often invisible and unserved), and veterans (10-15%, though veteran homelessness has declined substantially due to targeted federal initiatives).

Causes of homelessness in Kansas mirror national patterns while reflecting state-specific factors. Economic causes include lack of affordable housing with gap between housing costs and wages for low-income workers, poverty and insufficient income with Kansas minimum wage at federal minimum ($$7.25/hour) insufficient for housing costs, unemployment and underemployment particularly affecting rural communities with limited job opportunities, and eviction and housing instability with eviction rates particularly high in Kansas urban areas. Personal crises and challenges encompass domestic violence affecting women and children particularly, mental illness and behavioral health challenges with inadequate treatment infrastructure, substance abuse often co-occurring with other factors, medical crises and health problems leading to job loss and housing loss, and family breakdowns including youth aging out of foster care. Systemic factors include inadequate affordable housing supply particularly for extremely low-income households, insufficient homeless services and housing programs especially in rural areas, criminal justice involvement creating barriers to housing and employment, systemic racism affecting housing access and economic opportunity for communities of color, and gaps in safety net programs leaving people vulnerable to housing loss during crises.

Kansas Homeless Services System

Kansas’s homeless services system comprises multiple components coordinated through federal Continuum of Care (CoC) structure. Kansas has multiple CoCs covering different geographic regions including Wichita/Sedgwick County CoC (largest, covering Wichita metro), Kansas Balance of State CoC (covering most Kansas counties outside major urban areas, one of largest geographic CoCs in nation), Wyandotte County/Kansas City metro CoC, and potentially other urban CoCs. CoCs are collaborative bodies bringing together service providers, government agencies, and stakeholders to plan and coordinate homeless services, apply for federal CoC Program funding, implement coordinated entry systems, collect and analyze data through HMIS, and conduct strategic planning. Service provider types include emergency shelters providing immediate safety and crisis intervention (typically short stays of days to weeks), transitional housing offering time-limited housing with supportive services (up to 24 months, though declining in prevalence as Housing First approaches emphasize rapid permanent housing), permanent supportive housing delivering Housing First with ongoing support for people experiencing chronic homelessness and disabilities, rapid rehousing programs providing short-term rental assistance and services moving people quickly from homelessness to permanent housing, and homelessness prevention services helping at-risk households avoid entering homelessness through financial assistance and case management.

Federal funding sources supporting Kansas homeless services include HUD CoC Program (primary federal funding for permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, HMIS, and CoC planning/coordination, with competitive annual application process), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) (formula funding to state and some cities for emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and street outreach), HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) (housing vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans), and other federal programs (SAMHSA grants for behavioral health, HHS grants for healthcare and family services, DOE grants for education of homeless children). State and local funding supplements federal resources though Kansas state investment in homelessness services has historically been limited compared to some states, creating heavy reliance on federal funding and making federal policy changes critically impactful. Private philanthropy from foundations, corporations, United Way, and individual donors provides flexible funding particularly important for services ineligible for government funding and organizational capacity building.

3. Mission, Vision & Core Values

Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition’s mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Kansas through coordination, education, advocacy, and implementation of evidence-based practices. This mission reflects the organization’s fundamental beliefs that homelessness is solvable problem, not inevitable social condition, requiring coordinated systems and adequate resources rather than merely goodwill; that evidence-based practices—particularly Housing First, rapid rehousing, and coordinated entry—have demonstrated effectiveness ending homelessness and should replace outdated approaches emphasizing long shelter stays, treatment prerequisites for housing, and fragmented services; that coordination and collaboration among service providers, government agencies, and stakeholders produce better outcomes than isolated, duplicative, or contradictory efforts; and that policy advocacy addressing root causes (affordable housing shortage, poverty, healthcare gaps) is as important as service delivery addressing homelessness symptoms. The mission’s emphasis on both prevention (keeping people from becoming homeless) and ending (moving people from homelessness into permanent housing) recognizes that comprehensive approach requires addressing homelessness at all stages.

Vision & Strategic Direction

KSHC envisions Kansas where all residents have access to safe, stable, affordable housing and no one experiences homelessness. This vision guides strategic priorities including preventing homelessness through early intervention, eviction prevention, and crisis assistance before housing loss occurs; rapidly rehousing people who become homeless, ending their homelessness quickly rather than managing long shelter stays; providing permanent supportive housing ensuring people experiencing chronic homelessness and disabilities have housing with ongoing support enabling stability; strengthening homeless services system through coordination, best practices, data quality, and continuous improvement; addressing root causes through advocacy for affordable housing, living wages, healthcare access, and social safety net strengthening; and centering equity and social justice recognizing homelessness disproportionately affects communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized populations. The vision acknowledges that while completely eliminating homelessness may be aspirational, substantially reducing its prevalence, duration, and recurrence is achievable with adequate resources, effective systems, and political will.

Core Values & Operating Principles

KSHC’s work is grounded in core values shaping organizational culture, programmatic decisions, and advocacy positions. Housing is a human right means recognizing that everyone deserves safe, stable housing regardless of income, circumstances, or challenges, that housing is foundational to health, employment, family stability, and human dignity, that homelessness represents societal failure rather than individual failure, and that public policy should prioritize housing as essential need rather than commodity. Housing First philosophy emphasizes that housing is prerequisite for addressing other challenges, not reward for overcoming them, that people should not be required to achieve sobriety, treatment compliance, or service participation before receiving housing, that housing should be provided quickly with low barriers and client choice, and that supportive services should be available but optional, respecting client autonomy and self-determination. This value represents fundamental departure from traditional “continuum of care” models requiring people to progress through multiple stages (outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, treatment) before “earning” permanent housing—approach that evidence shows prolongs homelessness and reduces success rates.

Collaboration and coordination prioritizes that complex challenges require collective action across organizational and sectoral boundaries, that coordinated systems serving clients seamlessly produce better outcomes than fragmented services, that sharing resources, knowledge, and credit strengthens collective impact, and that KSHC’s role is facilitating rather than controlling or competing. Evidence-based practice and continuous improvement commits to grounding service delivery and advocacy in research and data demonstrating effectiveness, learning from successes and failures rather than defending status quo, using data for accountability and improvement rather than punishment, and remaining open to new evidence and approaches rather than dogmatically adhering to traditional methods. Equity and social justice acknowledges that homelessness disproportionately affects communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and other marginalized groups due to systemic racism, discrimination, and inequality; commits to addressing systemic barriers and advancing racial equity in homeless services and housing policy; centers voices and leadership of people with lived experience of homelessness; and challenges practices and policies perpetuating discrimination and marginalization.

Dignity and respect affirms that people experiencing homelessness deserve same respect, rights, and human dignity as all people, that service delivery should honor client autonomy, choice, and self-determination rather than paternalism or coercion, that terminology matters (using “people experiencing homelessness” rather than “the homeless” recognizing housing status doesn’t define personhood), and that trauma-informed approaches recognizing impacts of trauma and avoiding re-traumatization are essential. Data and transparency values using data to drive decisions, demonstrate outcomes, identify gaps, and ensure accountability; sharing data and information openly with stakeholders and public rather than hoarding for organizational advantage; and maintaining transparency in governance, finances, and program performance building trust and credibility. These values guide everything from how KSHC trains providers to which policy positions organization advances to how staff interact with members and people experiencing homelessness.

4. Four Core Functions: Education, Advocacy, Coordination, Data

KSHC organizes its work through four interconnected core functions creating comprehensive infrastructure supporting Kansas homeless services system. These functions are mutually reinforcing: training improves service quality and data collection, data informs advocacy priorities and identifies training needs, coordination amplifies training and advocacy impact, and advocacy victories create resources enabling better training and coordination. Understanding these functions provides framework for comprehending KSHC’s comprehensive approach to preventing and ending homelessness.

Function 1: Education & Training

KSHC’s education and training work builds capacity of homeless service providers, government staff, and stakeholders through workshops, conferences, webinars, technical assistance, and resource development. Training topics address Housing First and rapid rehousing implementation including Housing First philosophy and practice principles, rapid rehousing program design and implementation, permanent supportive housing models and best practices, progressive engagement and client-centered services, and housing navigation and landlord engagement; trauma-informed care covering understanding trauma and its impacts on people experiencing homelessness, trauma-informed service delivery practices, avoiding re-traumatization, vicarious trauma and staff self-care, and creating trauma-informed organizational cultures; coordinated entry systems including coordinated entry design and implementation, assessment tools and prioritization, coordinated entry participation and workflow, data quality for coordinated entry, and evaluation and continuous improvement.

Additional training areas include federal programs and compliance such as CoC Program regulations and compliance requirements, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) administration and compliance, HUD-VASH program implementation, fair housing and client rights, and federal funding applications and reporting; specialized populations addressing youth and young adult homelessness, family homelessness, chronic homelessness and high utilizers, veteran homelessness, domestic violence survivors, mental health and substance abuse, and LGBTQ+ homeless individuals; HMIS and data management covering HMIS data entry and quality, using HMIS data for program management and reporting, privacy and data security, and data analysis for system improvement; and best practices and emerging issues including employment and income support strategies, healthcare integration and medical respite, coordinating homeless services with mainstream systems (child welfare, criminal justice, healthcare), and diversion and homelessness prevention strategies. Training formats accommodate diverse learning needs and circumstances including in-person workshops at Kansas Homeless Summit and regional locations, webinars accessible remotely reducing travel requirements particularly for rural providers, online resources and toolkits for self-paced learning, and customized technical assistance for specific organizational challenges.

Function 2: Policy Advocacy

KSHC’s policy advocacy mobilizes unified voice advancing state and federal policies preventing and ending homelessness. Advocacy activities include legislative advocacy with direct lobbying of Kansas Legislature and state officials, testimony at legislative committee hearings, coordinating member communications to legislators, organizing advocacy days bringing providers and people with lived experience to statehouse, and building relationships with legislative champions; state agency engagement participating in state agency advisory committees and stakeholder processes, providing feedback on regulations and program design, advocating for alignment of state programs with federal best practices, and partnering on policy initiatives and pilot programs; coalition building coordinating with Kansas housing advocates, anti-poverty organizations, healthcare advocates, child welfare advocates, domestic violence coalitions, and other allied organizations advancing shared priorities; and federal advocacy coordinating with National Alliance to End Homelessness and other national partners on federal legislation, engaging Kansas congressional delegation on federal homelessness funding and policy, and submitting comments on federal rulemakings affecting homeless services.

KSHC’s policy priorities typically include increased funding for homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and emergency shelter infrastructure; state housing trust fund creation or enhancement; increased affordable housing production particularly for extremely low-income households; and sustainable funding for CoC operations and capacity building. Housing stability and tenant protections priorities encompass eviction prevention programs and emergency rental assistance, right to counsel in eviction proceedings, just cause eviction standards and longer notification periods, source-of-income discrimination protections preventing landlords from refusing housing vouchers, and habitability enforcement and tenant remedy procedures. Criminalization of homelessness advocacy opposes laws criminalizing sleeping, camping, or existing in public spaces when adequate shelter unavailable, advocates for diversion from criminal justice to services, and addresses barriers created by criminal records in accessing housing and employment. Healthcare and behavioral health integration supports Medicaid expansion to cover more low-income adults, integration of homeless services with healthcare and behavioral health systems, and medical respite and recuperative care for people experiencing homelessness with medical needs.

Function 3: Coordination & Collaboration

KSHC facilitates statewide and regional coordination preventing fragmentation and service gaps while promoting best practices and collaboration. Coordination activities include CoC support and coordination providing technical assistance to Kansas CoCs on governance, strategic planning, coordinated entry implementation, HMIS data quality, and federal application processes; facilitating coordination among multiple Kansas CoCs sharing best practices and coordinating on statewide issues; supporting Balance of State CoC serving vast geographic area with limited infrastructure; and connecting Kansas CoCs to national CoC networks and technical assistance. Statewide strategic planning convenes stakeholders to develop shared vision and priorities for ending homelessness in Kansas, identifies system gaps and opportunities for improvement, coordinates efforts across regions and organizations, and develops action plans with accountability mechanisms.

Best practice dissemination shares innovations and effective practices across Kansas, connects high-performing organizations with struggling organizations for peer mentoring, translates national best practices to Kansas contexts, and prevents reinventing wheels by helping organizations learn from others’ successes and failures. Partnership facilitation connects providers with complementary capacities for collaboration, facilitates partnerships between homeless services and mainstream systems (healthcare, education, workforce development, child welfare), convenes multi-sector collaboratives addressing complex issues requiring diverse expertise, and mediates conflicts and builds consensus when disagreements arise. Rural-urban connections bridges urban expertise and resources with rural needs and innovations, facilitates resource sharing and partnership between urban and rural providers, adapts urban service models for rural contexts, and elevates rural voice and visibility ensuring rural homelessness receives attention and resources.

Function 4: Data & Research

KSHC produces data and research informing policy, practice, and public understanding of homelessness. Data activities include Point-in-Time (PIT) count coordination organizing annual statewide enumeration of people experiencing homelessness on single night in January as required by HUD, training volunteers conducting count, compiling and analyzing data across CoCs, producing statewide PIT report documenting homelessness prevalence and characteristics, and using PIT data for advocacy, planning, and public education. HMIS data analysis aggregates and analyzes system-wide data from Homeless Management Information System tracking client information, service utilization, and housing outcomes; produces reports on system performance metrics (length of homelessness, housing placement rates, returns to homelessness); identifies trends and patterns informing strategic planning; and benchmarks Kansas performance against national standards and peer communities.

Research and evaluation studies homelessness causes, populations, and effective interventions in Kansas context; evaluates program and system effectiveness measuring outcomes and cost-effectiveness; documents promising practices and innovations for replication; and partners with academic researchers on Kansas homelessness studies. Policy analysis analyzes impact of proposed legislation and policies on homelessness, produces policy briefs synthesizing research for policymakers, documents economic costs of homelessness and return on investment of interventions, and uses data to make compelling advocacy case for increased funding and policy reforms. Public education and communications translates complex data into accessible formats for diverse audiences, challenges myths and misconceptions about homelessness through data, produces data visualizations and infographics for media and advocacy, and maintains transparency making data publicly available. High-quality data is essential for evidence-based advocacy, continuous improvement, accountability to funders and public, and understanding whether efforts are succeeding in preventing and ending homelessness.

5. Membership Benefits & How to Join

KSHC membership is open to organizations and individuals committed to preventing and ending homelessness in Kansas. The membership base exceeds 100 members representing full spectrum of stakeholders including homeless service providers (emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing), Continuums of Care and CoC collaborative applicants, government agencies (housing authorities, social services departments, health departments), healthcare organizations and community health centers, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, domestic violence service providers, youth services organizations, veteran service organizations, faith-based organizations, housing developers and landlords, advocates and policy organizations, researchers and academic institutions, and individuals including people with lived experience of homelessness, volunteers, and professionals working in related fields. Membership provides tangible benefits supporting organizational effectiveness and collective benefits strengthening entire Kansas homeless services system.

Membership Benefits

KSHC members receive comprehensive benefits package including discounted event registration with substantial savings on Kansas Homeless Summit registration, regional training workshops, and webinars—typically saving members $50-200+ annually on event costs with Summit registration discount alone often justifying membership investment; training and professional development providing priority access to workshops, webinars, and technical assistance, members-only training resources and toolkits, continuing education credits for professional certifications, and notification of national training opportunities through partner networks; technical assistance and support offering priority access to one-on-one consulting on program design, compliance, data quality, or organizational challenges, connections to peer mentors and subject matter experts, review of applications and program materials, and troubleshooting support addressing implementation challenges.

Additional benefits include policy advocacy representation where KSHC advocates for member priorities at state and federal levels, coordinates testimony and communications, mobilizes grassroots advocacy, and represents collective sector interests with policymakers; networking and peer learning through Kansas Homeless Summit and other convenings, peer learning groups and communities of practice, online member communities and listservs, and facilitated connections to potential partners and collaborators; data and research access including statewide PIT count reports, system performance data and benchmarking, research on best practices and emerging issues, and customized data analysis supporting member organizations; information and resources providing regular newsletters with policy updates and funding opportunities, resource libraries with toolkits and templates, webinar recordings and training materials, and early notification of funding opportunities and RFPs; visibility and recognition through organizational listing on KSHC website, project showcases at Summit, award nominations recognizing excellence, and media opportunities positioning members as experts; and voice in governance through voting rights in organizational decisions, eligibility for board service, policy platform development input, and shaping organizational priorities and activities.

Who Should Join

Membership is valuable for diverse organizations at different stages. Direct service providers (shelters, housing programs) gain training improving service quality, technical assistance addressing compliance and program challenges, peer networks for problem-solving and mutual support, policy advocacy securing funding and removing regulatory barriers, and data for demonstrating outcomes and securing funding. Continuums of Care benefit from CoC-specific technical assistance, connections to other Kansas CoCs for shared learning, support navigating federal requirements, advocacy advancing CoC priorities, and data coordination and analysis support. Government agencies access training for staff, learn about innovations and best practices, coordinate with service providers, influence policy advocacy reflecting government perspectives, and strengthen capacity for homelessness response. Healthcare and behavioral health providers connect with homeless service providers for partnerships, learn about housing and homelessness intersections with health, contribute expertise to cross-sector collaborations, and support policy advocacy linking housing and health. Faith-based organizations learn best practices for operating shelters and services, connect with peer faith-based providers, access training improving program effectiveness, and participate in advocacy grounded in faith values of compassion and justice.

Membership Categories & How to Join

KSHC typically offers organizational membership scaled by organization type and budget (direct service providers, CoCs, government agencies, healthcare organizations, corporations), individual membership for practitioners, volunteers, people with lived experience, students, and supporters not affiliated with organizations, and potentially sponsor or sustaining member levels for organizations providing enhanced financial support. Specific membership dues are detailed on KSHC website with tiered structure ensuring affordability for small organizations while requesting commensurate investment from larger members. KSHC may offer scholarships or reduced dues for organizations with financial constraints, recognizing that excluding organizations due to inability to pay would contradict mission of creating inclusive, coordinated system.

To join KSHC, visit kshomeless.com and navigate to “Membership” or “Join” section where you will find membership application, benefits description, dues structure, and payment options. Complete application with organizational or individual information, select appropriate membership category, and submit with payment via credit card, check, or other methods specified. Questions about membership can be directed to KSHC staff via contact information on website. KSHC welcomes new members year-round and may prorate dues for organizations joining mid-year. The organization encourages prospective members to attend Kansas Homeless Summit or events as non-members first to experience KSHC’s work before committing to membership.

6. Training, Education & Capacity Building

KSHC’s training and capacity-building work represents one of organization’s most substantial and impactful functions, building skills and knowledge enabling homeless service providers to implement evidence-based practices effectively, comply with complex federal regulations, deliver trauma-informed client-centered services, and continuously improve program quality and outcomes. KSHC’s training approach is practical and applied rather than purely theoretical, addressing real challenges Kansas providers face with actionable strategies, tools, and resources they can implement immediately rather than abstract concepts requiring substantial translation.

Training Topics & Content

KSHC delivers training across multiple content areas essential for effective homeless services. Housing First and rapid rehousing training addresses philosophical foundations of Housing First (housing as human right, low-barrier access, client choice and self-determination, harm reduction), rapid rehousing program models and implementation (assessment and eligibility, financial assistance strategies, housing search and navigation, progressive engagement and service tailoring), permanent supportive housing design and delivery (target population identification, housing models, supportive services integration, tenant rights and responsibilities), landlord engagement and partnerships (building landlord networks, addressing landlord concerns, damage mitigation funds, conflict resolution), and progressive engagement and client-centered practice (assessing client needs and strengths, tailoring services to individual circumstances, respecting client autonomy, flexible and responsive service delivery).

Trauma-informed care training covers understanding trauma and its prevalence among people experiencing homelessness (adverse childhood experiences, domestic violence, combat trauma, sexual assault, chronic poverty and discrimination), trauma impacts on behavior and functioning (hypervigilance, avoidance, emotional dysregulation, mistrust, difficulty with relationships and authority), trauma-informed service delivery principles (safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment and choice, cultural/historical/gender awareness), avoiding re-traumatization in service settings (intake and assessment practices, physical environment design, staff communication and behavior, policies and procedures review), organizational trauma-informed culture development (leadership commitment, staff training and support, vicarious trauma prevention, healing-centered organizational practices), and vicarious trauma and self-care for staff working with traumatized populations.

Federal compliance and program administration training addresses CoC Program regulations (eligible activities, participant eligibility, income and rent requirements, match requirements, recordkeeping and reporting, monitoring and audits), Emergency Solutions Grants administration (eligible activities, rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention standards, ESG written standards, client file documentation, financial management), HUD data and reporting requirements (Annual Performance Reports, Longitudinal Systems Analysis, System Performance Measures), fair housing and nondiscrimination (Fair Housing Act requirements, reasonable accommodations for disabilities, LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination, avoiding illegal screening practices), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protections in homeless services.

Specialized Population Training

KSHC provides training addressing unique needs and effective practices for specific populations. Youth and young adult homelessness training covers developmental needs of adolescents and transition-age youth (ages 12-24), Positive Youth Development and Trauma-Informed Care frameworks, youth-specific assessment and engagement strategies, educational supports and connections (McKinney-Vento homeless education rights, college access and persistence), employment and life skills development, Transition to Independence Process (TIP) model, pregnant and parenting youth, LGBTQ+ youth overrepresented in homeless youth population, and Host Home and scattered-site housing models effective for youth. Family homelessness training addresses unique challenges of families experiencing homelessness, child development impacts of homelessness and housing instability, family-centered service delivery and two-generation approaches, educational stability and school enrollment (McKinney-Vento), childcare access and parenting support, domestic violence screening and trauma-informed services for families, diversion and homelessness prevention for families, and rapid rehousing adapted for families with children.

Chronic homelessness and high utilizers training covers chronic homelessness definition and characteristics, Housing First and permanent supportive housing as evidence-based interventions, vulnerability assessment and prioritization, intensive case management and assertive community treatment, healthcare integration and medical respite, behavioral health services integration, criminal justice involvement and diversion, and cost studies documenting public system savings from housing high utilizers. Veteran homelessness training addresses veteran-specific resources (HUD-VASH, SSVF, VA healthcare), trauma and PTSD common among veterans, veteran culture and identity, coordinating with VA healthcare system, and family homelessness among veteran households.

HMIS and Data Training

High-quality data is essential for program management, federal compliance, and system improvement, making HMIS training critical capacity-building need. KSHC’s HMIS training addresses HMIS basics including HMIS purpose and requirements, data privacy and security (participant consent, access controls), HMIS data entry workflow and procedures, universal data elements required for all clients, program-specific data elements for different program types, and data quality standards and error prevention. Using HMIS for program management covers generating reports for program monitoring, analyzing housing placement and retention rates, identifying service gaps and participant needs, tracking progress toward performance goals, and preparing data for funders and stakeholders. Data quality improvement addresses identifying and correcting data errors, preventing common data quality issues, establishing data quality review procedures, training staff on accurate data entry, and using data quality reports for continuous improvement.

Training Delivery & Formats

KSHC delivers training through multiple formats accommodating diverse learning needs and geographic realities. Kansas Homeless Summit workshops provide concentrated multi-track training at annual conference with multiple concurrent sessions enabling participants to select topics matching learning needs. Regional training workshops bring training to different Kansas regions reducing travel burdens particularly for rural providers, typically half-day or full-day sessions on specific topics. Webinars enable remote participation eliminating travel requirements and costs, typically 60-90 minute sessions with presentation and Q&A, recorded for on-demand access. Technical assistance and coaching provides individualized support addressing specific organizational challenges, one-on-one or small-group format, sustained over multiple sessions, and customized to organizational context. Peer learning groups facilitate ongoing learning among practitioners working on similar issues or serving similar populations, combine expert content with peer problem-solving and mutual support, and meet quarterly or monthly via video conference or in-person. Online resources and toolkits enable self-paced learning with downloadable templates, guides, checklists, and recorded training content accessible 24/7.

7. Policy Advocacy & Legislative Priorities

KSHC’s policy advocacy mobilizes collective voice of Kansas homeless services sector to advance state and federal policies preventing and ending homelessness. Advocacy is grounded in provider expertise, lived experience, data and evidence, and values of housing as human right and Housing First effectiveness. KSHC’s advocacy has grown increasingly sophisticated and influential over organization’s history, with KSHC now recognized as authoritative voice on homelessness by Kansas legislators, state agency officials, media, and other stakeholders.

State Policy Priorities

KSHC develops annual state policy priorities through member input, data analysis documenting needs and gaps, strategic assessment of political opportunities, and coordination with allied organizations. Current and recurring priorities include increased state funding for homelessness services advocating for General Fund appropriations supporting homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and coordinated entry systems; creation or enhancement of state housing trust fund providing dedicated sustainable funding for affordable housing and homelessness services; increased appropriations to Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and other state agencies administering housing programs; and funding for CoC capacity building, training, technical assistance, and data infrastructure. Kansas historically has provided minimal state funding for homelessness services compared to neighboring states and national peers, creating heavy reliance on federal funding and leaving system vulnerable to federal budget cuts and policy changes. KSHC advocacy emphasizes that state investment in homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing produces substantial cost savings by reducing emergency services utilization, child welfare involvement, incarceration, and other expensive public system costs.

Housing stability and eviction prevention priorities include emergency rental assistance programs preventing evictions and homelessness, right to counsel in eviction proceedings ensuring tenants have legal representation, just cause eviction standards requiring landlords to demonstrate legitimate reasons for evictions, longer notification periods before evictions giving tenants time to find alternatives or resolve issues, source-of-income discrimination protections prohibiting landlords from refusing housing vouchers, and landlord mitigation funds reducing landlord risk and encouraging participation in housing voucher programs. Affordable housing production advocacy supports increased Low-Income Housing Tax Credit authority, inclusionary zoning enabling local governments to require affordable housing in new developments, surplus public land disposition prioritizing affordable housing development, manufactured housing quality standards and consumer protections, and zoning reforms reducing regulatory barriers to affordable housing. Healthcare and behavioral health integration includes Medicaid expansion covering more low-income adults (Kansas is among states that had not expanded Medicaid as of 2024), integration of homeless services with managed care organizations and community health centers, medical respite and recuperative care for people experiencing homelessness with medical needs, and substance abuse and mental health treatment capacity expansion.

Criminalization of homelessness advocacy opposes laws criminalizing homelessness (camping ordinances, loitering laws, prohibitions on sleeping in vehicles) when adequate shelter unavailable, advocates for diversion from criminal justice to services rather than incarceration, addresses barriers created by criminal records in accessing housing and employment, and promotes Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) and similar pre-booking diversion programs. Youth and family homelessness priorities include funding for youth-specific homeless services and housing, strengthening connections between child welfare and homeless systems, improving educational stability for students experiencing homelessness (McKinney-Vento implementation), and preventing youth homelessness through family reunification and early intervention.

Advocacy Strategies & Tactics

KSHC employs multiple advocacy strategies creating coordinated pressure supporting policy priorities. Direct lobbying includes KSHC staff meeting with legislators and legislative staff throughout session and between sessions, testifying at committee hearings on bills affecting homelessness and housing, providing written materials educating legislators about homelessness issues and policy solutions, building relationships with key legislative leaders and committee chairs, and monitoring legislation tracking bills affecting homeless services throughout session. Grassroots mobilization engages members and stakeholders through legislative advocacy days bringing providers and people with lived experience to capitol for meetings and testimony, action alerts mobilizing calls and emails to targeted legislators on pending legislation, petition drives gathering constituent signatures supporting policy priorities, participation in committee hearings with coordinated testimony from multiple stakeholders, and social media campaigns raising awareness and mobilizing supporters.

Coalition building amplifies impact through partnerships with Kansas housing advocates, anti-poverty organizations (Kansas Appleseed, Kansas Action for Children), healthcare advocates (Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, Kansas Hospital Association), mental health and substance abuse advocates, domestic violence coalitions, veteran service organizations, faith-based social justice networks (Kansas Interfaith Action, Catholic Charities), business and chamber of commerce partners emphasizing workforce housing, and law enforcement and criminal justice reform advocates. Media and communications build public awareness and political will through press releases on policy developments and homelessness data, op-eds and letters to editor in Kansas newspapers, media interviews positioning KSHC and members as experts, social media campaigns educating public and mobilizing action, storytelling featuring people with lived experience, data visualizations making statistics accessible and compelling, and legislative reports tracking legislator votes and positions.

Research and evidence strengthen advocacy credibility through Point-in-Time count data documenting homelessness prevalence and characteristics, system performance data demonstrating program effectiveness and cost savings, economic impact studies quantifying costs of homelessness and benefits of interventions, national best practices and peer comparisons showing what works in other states, and policy briefs synthesizing evidence on specific issues for policymaker audiences. Administrative advocacy engages state agencies beyond legislature through participation in Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) stakeholder processes, input on Kansas Housing Resources Corporation policies and programs, coordination with Kansas Department of Health and Environment on healthcare integration, feedback on regulations and guidance documents, and partnership on pilot programs and policy innovations.

Federal Advocacy

While focusing primarily on state policy, KSHC also engages in federal advocacy coordinating with national partners. Federal advocacy includes engaging Kansas congressional delegation through meetings with Senators and Representatives during congressional recesses, letters and communications on federal legislation affecting homeless services, coordinated constituent visits from Kansas providers and people with lived experience, and testimony at congressional hearings when opportunities arise. Federal policy priorities encompass increased HUD appropriations for CoC Program, Emergency Solutions Grants, and other homeless assistance programs; LIHTC expansion increasing allocation authority for affordable housing; healthcare access including Medicaid and Affordable Care Act protections; SNAP (food stamps) and other safety net programs preventing poverty and housing instability; and federal data and research supporting evidence-based policy. Coalition participation coordinates with National Alliance to End Homelessness leading federal homeless policy advocacy, National Coalition for the Homeless, regional homeless coalition networks, and issue-specific coalitions on youth homelessness, veteran homelessness, rural homelessness, and other topics. Federal rulemaking comments provide feedback on proposed HUD regulations affecting homeless services, CoC Program NOFA and priorities, HMIS data standards and privacy rules, and fair housing rules affecting homeless services providers.

8. Statewide Coordination & Best Practices

KSHC’s coordination work prevents fragmentation and service gaps while promoting evidence-based practices and collaboration across Kansas homeless services system. Coordination is particularly critical in Kansas given state’s size (over 82,000 square miles), rural character (majority of counties have populations under 25,000), and limited service provider capacity in many areas. Without intentional statewide coordination, Kansas homeless services would consist of isolated providers using inconsistent approaches, duplicating efforts, missing opportunities for resource sharing and partnership, and struggling to navigate federal requirements without peer support and technical assistance.

Continuum of Care Support

KSHC provides substantial support to Kansas Continuums of Care recognizing CoCs are primary vehicle for federal homeless assistance funding and local coordination but often operate with limited administrative capacity particularly in Balance of State CoC covering majority of Kansas geography. CoC support includes governance and strategic planning assistance helping CoCs establish or strengthen governance structures (boards, committees), facilitate strategic planning processes developing multi-year action plans, navigate federal CoC Program requirements and competition process, and implement continuous quality improvement. Coordinated entry technical assistance supports CoCs in designing or improving coordinated entry systems (centralized assessment, prioritization, referral), selecting and implementing assessment tools, training staff on coordinated entry workflow and philosophy, monitoring coordinated entry performance and making improvements, and ensuring coordinated entry serves entire CoC geography including rural areas.

HMIS support and data quality provides training on HMIS data entry and reporting, helps CoCs establish data quality plans and review procedures, supports system performance measurement and analysis, facilitates data sharing among CoC partners, and assists with federal reporting requirements (HDX, Annual Performance Reports, Longitudinal Systems Analysis). CoC Program application support offers technical assistance on annual federal competition application, facilitates project prioritization and ranking processes, reviews applications for completeness and competitiveness, and connects Kansas CoCs with national technical assistance resources. CoC coordination and peer learning convenes Kansas CoC leaders for shared learning and problem-solving, facilitates coordination on statewide issues affecting multiple CoCs, connects Kansas CoCs with national CoC networks, and prevents duplication while identifying opportunities for collaboration.

Best Practices Dissemination

KSHC serves as clearinghouse and dissemination channel for evidence-based practices and innovations in homeless services. National best practices translation monitors national research and emerging practices, translates national models and evidence to Kansas contexts, adapts urban-focused best practices for rural implementation, and provides Kansas-specific guidance on federal best practice requirements. Innovation showcase identifies and highlights innovative programs and practices in Kansas, facilitates site visits and learning exchanges enabling organizations to see innovations firsthand, documents innovations through case studies and presentations, and supports replication of successful models by other Kansas organizations. Peer mentoring and consultation connects experienced high-performing organizations with organizations seeking to improve, facilitates peer-to-peer technical assistance and knowledge transfer, creates mentorship relationships for organizational leaders, and builds communities of practice around specific program models or populations.

Resource libraries and toolkits compile and share templates, policies, forms, and tools developed by Kansas organizations, curate national resources most relevant to Kansas contexts, develop original toolkits addressing common challenges (rapid rehousing implementation, landlord engagement, trauma-informed intake), and maintain online resource library accessible to members. Evidence-based practice standards promote adoption of Housing First, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing models with fidelity; discourage outdated practices (treatment readiness requirements, lengthy shelter stays, rigid service prerequisites); provide guidance on trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and client-centered practice; and create accountability through training, technical assistance, and CoC performance standards.

Cross-System Coordination

Homelessness intersects with multiple public systems requiring coordination beyond homeless services sector. KSHC facilitates healthcare integration connecting homeless services with Medicaid managed care organizations, community health centers, hospitals and emergency departments, and medical respite programs; advocating for policies supporting healthcare-homeless services coordination; and training on healthcare enrollment, care coordination, and addressing health needs of people experiencing homelessness. Behavioral health coordination links homeless services with mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, promotes integrated Housing First and treatment models, addresses gaps in treatment capacity particularly for people who are uninsured or have co-occurring disorders, and advocates for policies supporting behavioral health and housing integration.

Criminal justice coordination develops partnerships between homeless services and jails, courts, probation/parole, and law enforcement; promotes pre-booking diversion programs (LEAD, crisis intervention teams) connecting people to services rather than incarceration; addresses reentry housing needs for people leaving incarceration; and advocates for policies reducing criminalization of homelessness and addressing collateral consequences of criminal records. Child welfare coordination connects homeless services with child welfare agencies addressing family homelessness and housing instability, prevents child welfare involvement and family separation caused by housing crises, supports youth aging out of foster care at high risk of homelessness, and coordinates on crossover youth involved in both homelessness and child welfare systems. Education coordination ensures implementation of McKinney-Vento homeless education requirements, coordinates between schools and homeless services on identifying and serving students experiencing homelessness, addresses educational stability and supports for homeless children and youth, and connects families to housing services through school-based identification.

9. Kansas Homeless Summit & Events

KSHC’s Kansas Homeless Summit serves as the organization’s flagship annual event and premier gathering for Kansas homeless services sector. The Summit brings together 150-250+ participants including homeless service providers, CoC staff, government officials, healthcare providers, advocates, researchers, people with lived experience, and students for full-day or multi-day program providing education, networking, policy updates, and community building. The Summit creates rare opportunity for statewide homeless services community to come together, learn from national experts and each other, build relationships facilitating ongoing collaboration, celebrate successes and acknowledge challenges, and renew commitment to shared mission of preventing and ending homelessness.

Summit Program & Format

The Kansas Homeless Summit typically features keynote addresses from national homeless services leaders, federal officials (HUD), researchers, or people with lived experience providing inspiration, big-picture context, and cutting-edge thinking; plenary sessions addressing issues affecting entire sector such as federal policy updates, statewide data and trends from Point-in-Time count, Kansas legislative recap, and system performance results; breakout workshop sessions organized by track enabling participants to customize learning, typically including development and program track (Housing First, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing implementation), compliance and operations track (federal regulations, HMIS, financial management, fair housing), specialized populations track (youth, families, veterans, chronic homelessness), and cross-systems track (healthcare, behavioral health, criminal justice, education integration). Workshop sessions feature mix of national presenters providing expertise and evidence-based practices, Kansas providers sharing local innovations and lessons learned, and interactive formats including panel discussions, case study analysis, Q&A, and small-group problem-solving.

Additional Summit components include networking opportunities through organized networking sessions, meals and receptions, informal hallway conversations, and dedicated networking time built into agenda; exhibitor area featuring government agencies (HUD, Kansas DCF, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation), technical assistance providers, technology vendors, consultants, funders, and allied organizations showcasing resources and services; awards and recognition ceremony honoring outstanding programs, practitioners, volunteers, and advocates demonstrating excellence and innovation; lived experience participation centering voices of people with lived experience of homelessness through speaking roles, panel participation, and leadership opportunities; and policy advocacy component potentially including legislative champions attendance, policy briefings, advocacy training, or coordination of post-Summit advocacy actions. The Summit offers continuing education credits for social workers, case managers, and other professionals requiring ongoing education for licensure or certification.

Summit Value & Participation

The Kansas Homeless Summit delivers multiple forms of value justifying time and registration investment. Professional development provides 6-8+ hours of high-quality training and education on evidence-based practices, federal compliance, specialized topics, and emerging issues—content that would require dozens of hours and substantial expense to gather independently through separate training events or consultants. Networking and relationship building creates opportunities to meet peers from across Kansas, identify potential partners for collaboration, connect with government officials and funders, and build relationships facilitating ongoing knowledge sharing and mutual support throughout year. Information access delivers concentrated updates on policy changes, federal guidance, funding opportunities, program innovations, and research findings in single day—information often unavailable through other channels or requiring substantial effort to track independently.

Inspiration and community combat isolation and burnout common in homeless services work by connecting with larger community of practitioners, hearing success stories and innovations, being reminded that challenges are shared and not unique to individual organizations, and renewing commitment to mission and vision. Visibility and voice provide opportunities to showcase your organization’s work, contribute your expertise through presentations or panels, influence policy discussions and organizational priorities, and position your organization and staff as leaders within Kansas homeless services sector. Rural accessibility is prioritized through Summit location rotation (not exclusively in largest cities), virtual attendance options when feasible, scholarships and discounted registration for small/rural organizations, and overnight lodging information for participants traveling long distances. Registration fees are kept affordable with member discounts, early-bird pricing, group rates for organizations sending multiple staff, and scholarships ensuring financial barriers don’t prevent participation.

Other KSHC Events

Beyond the annual Summit, KSHC hosts additional events throughout year including regional training workshops bringing training on specific topics to different Kansas regions (typically 3-4 hour sessions on topics like HMIS, trauma-informed care, rapid rehousing, or compliance), reducing travel burden for providers unable to attend statewide events frequently; webinars providing remote accessible training on timely topics (typically monthly or quarterly, 60-90 minutes), enabling participation from anywhere in Kansas without travel, addressing emerging issues and federal guidance quickly, and recorded for on-demand viewing by those unable to attend live; policy and advocacy events including Legislative Day at Kansas Capitol during session, pre-session advocacy training and planning meetings, post-session legislative recap and debriefing, and issue-specific forums on policy proposals or advocacy campaigns; and special convenings addressing emerging issues or strategic opportunities such as crisis response to natural disasters or emergencies, federal funding opportunity workshops (when major RFPs released), planning retreats for strategic initiatives, and coalition meetings for cross-sector partnerships.

To stay informed about upcoming events, visit kshomeless.com events calendar, sign up for KSHC email newsletter, follow KSHC on social media, or contact KSHC directly. Kansas Homeless Summit dates, location, and registration information typically posted 3-6 months in advance, with early-bird registration opening 2-3 months before event. Members receive first notification of events and registration opportunities along with member-only discounts.

10. Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness

Important Note: Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition (KSHC) is a coordination and support organization for homeless service providers—KSHC does not operate shelters, provide direct services, or maintain waiting lists for housing assistance. If you are experiencing homelessness or housing crisis, please use the resources below to connect with direct service providers who can help.

Immediate Help & Emergency Resources

Dial 211 (or 1-866-211-5327) from any phone for immediate referrals to emergency shelter, food assistance, utility assistance, healthcare, mental health services, and other community resources in your area. 211 operates 24/7 statewide and can connect you with services based on your location and needs. This is the fastest way to find shelter and assistance near you.

Emergency shelters provide immediate safety and temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness. Kansas has emergency shelters in Wichita, Kansas City metro, Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Garden City, Dodge City, and other communities. Some shelters serve specific populations (families, women and children, youth, veterans, domestic violence survivors) while others serve all adults. Call 211 to find shelter near you or search online for “[your city] emergency shelter” or “[your city] homeless shelter.” Rural areas may have limited shelter capacity—211 can identify nearest options and alternative resources.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, free, confidential) or Kansas Crisis Hotline at 1-888-END-ABUSE (1-888-363-2287). Domestic violence shelters provide safe emergency housing, advocacy, safety planning, legal assistance, and connections to long-term housing and support services.

If you are a veteran, contact U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homeless programs at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) or local VA Medical Center. VA offers specialized homeless services including HUD-VASH housing vouchers, healthcare, mental health and substance abuse treatment, employment assistance, and connections to supportive services. Kansas has VA medical centers in Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, and Leavenworth with homeless services programs.

If you are a youth or young adult under 25, contact National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-786-2929 (24/7, free, confidential) for crisis support, safety planning, and connections to youth homeless services. Some Kansas communities have youth-specific homeless services—call 211 for information about programs serving unaccompanied youth in your area.

Housing Assistance & Long-Term Support

Rapid rehousing programs help people move quickly from homelessness into permanent housing with short-term rental assistance and supportive services. Many Kansas CoCs and service providers operate rapid rehousing programs funded by federal Emergency Solutions Grants and CoC Program. Call 211 or contact your local homeless service provider to inquire about rapid rehousing availability and eligibility.

Permanent supportive housing provides housing with ongoing supportive services for people experiencing chronic homelessness and disabilities. PSH programs use Housing First approach with no sobriety or treatment requirements for housing but voluntary services available. Contact local homeless service providers or CoC to inquire about PSH programs and waiting lists.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) are federal rental assistance vouchers helping low-income families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities afford private market housing. Contact your local housing authority (search “[your county] housing authority” or visit HUD Kansas public housing authorities list) for information about voucher waiting lists, application processes, and eligibility. Many housing authorities have long waiting lists (months to years), but some prioritize people experiencing homelessness or have special vouchers for veterans or people with disabilities.

Homelessness prevention assistance can help if you are at risk of homelessness but not yet homeless (facing eviction, behind on rent/mortgage, utilities shut off, escaping domestic violence). Kansas Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs provide homelessness prevention assistance. Contact Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) at 1-888-369-4777 or local service providers identified through 211.

Additional Support Services

Healthcare: If you are uninsured or underinsured, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community health centers provide medical, dental, mental health, and substance abuse services on sliding fee scale based on income. Find health centers at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov or call 211. Many homeless shelters and service providers also coordinate healthcare services.

Food assistance: Call 211 for food pantries, meal programs, and SNAP (food stamps) application assistance. Kansas Food Bank (serving central and eastern Kansas) operates hunger relief network—visit kansasfoodbank.org or call 316-265-3663.

Employment assistance: Kansas WorkOne Centers (American Job Centers) provide free job search assistance, resume help, training programs, and employment connections. Find locations at kansasworks.com or call 211. Many homeless service providers also offer employment services.

Mental health and substance abuse treatment: Kansas has Community Mental Health Centers providing services on sliding fee scale. Call 211 for mental health and substance abuse treatment resources or contact Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) behavioral health services at 785-296-3773.

Legal assistance: Kansas Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals including housing issues (eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, housing discrimination). Call 1-800-723-6953 or visit kansaslegalservices.org.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)