The United Way of the Plains has announced an initiative with the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and the Dole VA Medical Center to reduce homelessness among veterans in the community.
Community leaders announced the program at a news conference Thursday, and it has a goal of reducing veteran homeless to functional zero in 2024. United Way president Pete Najera said it will take a collective community response to make that happen. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said it will take support from the city and county and from citizens. He said “Together we can assure that veterans receive the respect, the care and the opportunities that they deserve so they can rebuild their futures.” Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said tangible steps are now being taken to address homelessness thanks to the United Way and the Continuum of Care that was established for the Wichita community.
Wichita Housing and Community Services Director Sally Stang said the last Point In Time count of the homeless identified 32 veterans in the community. She said this is a call to action for all people in Wichita to provide help. She said data will be posted on a Homes for Heroes page on the city’s web site at wichita.gov and there will be requests for help from landlords, household goods, and help in identifying other veterans who are homeless. Stang said a city-county task force will help identify and deploy resources to meet functional zero for veterans and for other groups experiencing homelessness.
