Public callers urge more shelters, transitional housing and permanent solutions during Johnson County meeting

During the public-comment portion of the June 26 Johnson County Commission meeting, several speakers urged the county to step up services for people experiencing homelessness and to expand transitional and day-shelter options.

Donald Stout thanked county officials for a recently opened cooling center and asked the county to consider a day shelter where people could access showers and hot meals. “It would be nice to have a day shelter in which we could provide homeless people a shower and a hot meal,” Stout said.

Brian Perkins, who identified himself as currently homeless in Olathe, said the cooling center staff and visits by commissioners were meaningful. He urged the county to move from short-term cooling centers to transitional housing and case management: “We need to get something going. . . transitional housing, case management — start there and keep going.”

Barb McKeever, co-founder and operator of Project 10:20, Johnson County’s cold-weather shelter for adults without minor children, said momentum had stalled after earlier planning efforts and urged the board to keep shelter work central. She criticized county capital spending priorities while urging more focus on people without housing and described a recent episode in which someone seeking shelter under an awning was asked to leave during a heavy storm.

Several speakers thanked Overland Park Christian Church and volunteers for opening cooling centers during heat events. Commissioners who represent the area — including Commissioners Brewer and Hanslick, both mentioned by commenters — were thanked for attending cooling-center events.

No formal action was taken during the public-comment period; county staff later noted ongoing planning efforts and partnerships with community organizations.