Ending Chronic Homelessness

According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty there are 3.5 million Americans homeless annually including:

  • Those experiencing mental illness
  • Working people living in poverty who cannot afford housing
  • Under-employed or under-trained people
  • Men, women and children of all ages

In a 2023 national snapshot of homelessness taken one day in January, the Department of Housing and Urban Development counted more than 582,462 people. Locally, the snapshot of homelessness for Wichita/Sedgwick County’s annual point in time reflected more than 702 individuals and families are literally homeless, living on the streets, in homeless shelters or transitional “temporary” housing. Nationally, one-third of homeless individuals have a serious mental illness; locally that percentage is higher.

Task Force

A task force to end chronic homelessness was created in 2006 to assess and intervene in the factors that contribute to homelessness in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Accessing Adult Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services

Information regarding how to access Adult Mental Health and Addition Treatment Services can be located here:

SOAR Program

What is the SOAR program?

The Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI) Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) program teaches those who work with unhoused or risk of being unhoused adults about the SSI/SSDI application process. The main objective is to make it easier for all eligible applicants to be approved on their initial application for social security benefits. 

The SOAR model has proven it is possible to attain 60-95 percent success rates on initial applications in an average of 93 days. We have realized much success using the SOAR model with clients. Receiving SSI/ SSDI benefits has truly changed lives. 

Patients active in COMCARE Services and the Shelter Plus Care program may request assistance from a SOAR trained Benefits Specialist. 

Housing First Program

This program provides homeless individuals with apartments first, and then offers mainstream services. This approach allows individuals to experience a stable environment while working on mental health and substance use issues. Based upon their ability to pay, residents will pay up to 30 percent of their income.