24 January 2024
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita’s mayor and city council members went to Topeka on Wednesday to convince legislators to support items important to Wichita.
Mayor Lily Wu told the KSN Capitol Bureau that addressing homelessness in Wichita with a multi-agency center is the top priority.
“In Wichita, we have a population, as of last year, of more than 700 individuals facing homelessness,” she said.
Many people without housing come from outside of Wichita.
“So we need help from state lawmakers to help us with this solution that we have created alongside other partners,” Wu said. “This multi-agency center is an opportunity for the city, but the county as well as nonprofits and the business sector to come together and find a solution for Wichita.”
She explained that the center would cover more than just shelter.
“We want to make sure that they first get a shelter space, and then we can have wrap-around services to help that individual,” Wu said. “And then move them onto transitional housing, where, eventually, they can become the individuals that want to help our community continue thriving.”
“We want to help them, but also help our community be in a better place where we have individuals that want to give back as well,” she said.
The Wichita 2024 State Legislative Agenda includes the following:
Support of education, childcare, and workforce development policies to help grow talent and workforce density in South Central Kansas.
Fully fund the downtown Wichita WSU KU Biomedical campus.
Support a $50 million appropriation to establish a state matching grant program to address local homelessness needs.
Support policies that expand commercial air service at Eisenhower Airport.
Support the extension of the Heartland Flyer Amtrak line connection.
Support of policies that enhance economic development throughout the South Central region to grow the economy, increase job opportunities, and enhance the quality of life.
The KSN Capital Bureau keeps tabs on the bills introduced in the Kansas Legislature. Our crew will provide updates when the various agenda items go to a vote.