United Way outlines Continuum of Care, new grants and housing gaps driving homelessness in Sedgwick County

United Way officials told the Sedgwick County Commission that their Continuum of Care (CoC) has strengthened service coordination and secured new funding to prevent and reduce homelessness, but that a shortage of affordable housing remains the chief barrier to reducing the local unhoused population.

Pete (United Way) and Matt Low, who the organization announced has been promoted to associate vice president for homeless housing initiatives, described the CoC structure, HUD grant administration and local partnerships that deliver prevention, outreach, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing. “The Continuum of Care is addressing the actual facilitation of housing somebody, but there's still an ecosystem before that to prevent the homelessness and then there's an ecosystem after that to get them out of the shelter,” Pete said.

Officials said the CoC manages roughly a $3 million HUD grant used to fund local partners and administrative costs; they also announced a new Kansas DCF award of $1.1 million over two years (with the ability to extend to four years), restricted to family homelessness prevention and rapid interventions that can, for example, cover a month of rent to avert eviction. Matt said the CoC has increased HUD funding year-over-year by about $600,000 and added program navigators to speed placements.

Presenters offered data to describe the scale of need: on the January point-in-time count the community recorded 859 people experiencing homelessness (637 sheltered; 222 unsheltered), and CoC bed capacity was 95% occupied on that night. Matt said that of those who come into contact with the CoC in a year, the system serves thousands (he cited an aggregate contact count) but that exits to permanent housing remain constrained by housing availability: “3,500 came in contact with the continuum. 33 went out. We’re only 200 away from equilibrium,” Pete said, describing the CoC’s metrics and the concept of “functional zero” (more exits than entries for a given population).

Speakers also highlighted demographic trends: the CoC reported a 147% increase in newly homeless individuals over six years and said seniors and young families are among the fastest-growing groups. Matt gave a current snapshot for the by-name list: 338 people aged 55 or older and 97 people 65 and older on the list at that time.

Panelists and commissioners discussed root causes and local policy levers. United Way cited the ALICE report findings that 38% of Sedgwick County households live paycheck-to-paycheck and that housing, child care and utilities are fast-rising household costs. Suggestion topics included zoning reform, pre-approved house plans to speed development (an example cited from another city), accessory dwelling units by right, and regulatory changes to lower construction costs (e.g., reconsidering mandatory basements or garage-placement rules).

United Way also described operational and pilot work with special populations flagged as “hardest to engage” — people with severe, persistent mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or chronic substance use — and acknowledged the county and state would need to collaborate on new models to serve that group effectively.

Commissioners thanked presenters and requested follow-up materials: (1) the prior decision package on pre-approved building plans, (2) a county summary of current touchpoints and services for people experiencing homelessness (COMCARE, Open Door, Second Light, shelter providers) and (3) details on county housing assistance programs and eligibility. Staff agreed to circulate materials before the upcoming city-county meeting.

Next steps: United Way and county staff will continue coordination on grant implementation, prevention programming and potential zoning/permit reforms that could expand affordable housing supply.