MH advocates ask for legislative policy that treats unhoused Kansans with respect

Abstract

Mental health advocates are once again brainstorming ways to approach the Kansas state legislature about the state's growing homeless problem, the nonprofit news organization, Kansas Reflector, reported on Sept. 26. Although urban areas have higher unhoused populations — about 1,798 people are homeless on any given night in Kansas City, according to a Kansas City advocacy group — more rural areas have seen rising numbers of homeless people over the past three years or so due to the COVID‐19 pandemic and rising inflation, among other conditions that have forced more residents into the streets. During a meeting last week, Amy Campbell, lobbyist and coordinator for the Kansas Mental Health Coalition, said city officials in smaller areas were looking for ways to appropriately handle the situation. “The fact is that even small towns are now starting to encounter the public nuisance issues associated with having people camp in their parks, or along the highways or roads, or in certain areas of their communities,” Campbell said. Coalition members want to prevent policy like last year's House Bill 2430 from coming up again. In the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers suggested the measure, which would make it illegal to use state or local government property for unauthorized sleeping, camping or long‐term shelters. After widespread backlash from Kansans who had dealt with homelessness and other concerned citizens, the bill was tabled. However, Campbell said she expects some form of legislation to be raised again in the upcoming session. “There is no doubt that the pressure will continue for these issues to be addressed,” Campbell said.