July 26, 2024
The City of Lawrence Homeless Solutions Division has been honored with a Preparedness Partner Award from the Douglas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The award recognizes community partners, individuals and organizations who have shown exceptional dedication to creating a more prepared community.
“The Homeless Solutions Division is incredibly honored to receive the Preparedness Partner Award from the LEPC,” said Misty Bosch-Hastings, Director of the Homeless Solutions Division of the City of Lawrence. “This recognition highlights the dedication and hard work of our team in striving to create a safer and more prepared community. It’s truly rewarding to see our efforts acknowledged, and we remain committed to continuing our mission to support and uplift those in need.”
In the award presentation, the LEPC praised the Homeless Solutions Division for their work during extreme weather events over the last year. They also emphasized the team’s proactive approach in creating and implementing an effective emergency preparedness plan for The Village.
The Homeless Solutions Division was established in February 2024 as part of the City of Lawrence’s commitment to ending chronic homelessness in our community. Some of the Homeless Solutions Division team’s work so far in 2024 has included:
- In January 2024, the City worked with community partners to stage additional emergency shelter locations to provide warm, indoor shelter during periods of intense winter weather.
- The Village, a community of emergency shelter cabins, opened in March 2024.
- Camp New Beginnings was closed in April 2024 and its residents received help to relocate to The Village or other suitable shelter options.
- As summer weather hits, the team has helped coordinate cooling centers at City recreation facilities.
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The Division formed a multi-disciplinary Homeless Outreach Team that provides outreach and services three days a week for six hours a day. Their work focuses on building relationships and connecting individuals to services and assistance that can get them out of unsheltered homelessness.
You can learn more about all the work the Homeless Solutions Division is doing for our community on our website: lawrenceks.org/homeless-solutions
Media Contact: City Communications, citycommunications@lawrenceks.org
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The City of Lawrence supports an unmistakably vibrant community with innovative, equitable, transparent and responsible local government. Together, we are creating a community where everyone can enjoy life and feel at home.