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.

Read the task force's plan to end chronic homelessness in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Send comments or questions to a county staff member assigned through the task force.

Accessing Adult Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services

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

https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/comcare/accessing-services/

SOAR Program

The free Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI) Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) program teaches those who work with homeless adults about the SSI/SSDI application process. 

Get more information about the national SOAR program below.

Home | SOAR Works! (samhsa.gov)

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.

Access the Housing First application.

Read a fact sheet about Housing First and the steps to apply.