What you need to know about supporting the Homeless Services Center
As you all know, Tuesday September 17 is when the Lenexa City Council will vote on approving the Special Use Permit for the future Homeless Services Center (HSC). See below for exciting developments and action steps you can take to support the Lenexa City Council as they make this important decision.
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH: A message to GFN from Chairman Mike Kelly
At Good Faith Network’s mental health summit on September 10, Chairman Kelly directly called on us to have faith and continue our support for this project. See his words below:
“I also would be remiss if I didn’t also provide a thank you for the intention and passion that the Good Faith Network showed at the Planning Commission meeting in Lenexa a few weeks back…What I’d ask is that everybody have a little bit of faith, continue to believe in the process, because it’s the right solution at the right time.
The hope that I take into next week is that the only people that are accountable are the elected officials….that’s where the buck stops. There is a recommendation from staff, there’s a recommendation from the planning commission, but people elect leaders to lead, and they really have an opportunity to do that next week.
The county support for this project isn’t done – I appreciate that yours isn’t either.“
GAME CHANGER: the County pledges additional support to Lenexa for the Homeless Services Center
In the 9/12/2024 Board of County Commission meeting, the Commission voted to send a letter of support to the City of Lenexa for the HSC, including a pledge of additional support for law enforcement and housing vouchers. These pledges resolve key points of concern raised by Lenexa city staff. Key text of the letter below:
Should the SUP be approved, Johnson County will work with Lenexa to expand the extraterritorial agreement and provide additional service by the Sheriff’s Office’s Crisis Intervention Team trained deputies and increase mental health co-responders to address the potential for increased calls for law enforcement support.
Johnson County will explore the use of programs and funding, including but not limited to Housing Choice Vouchers, for Project 1020 to offset overflow of homeless occupancy at Project1020 during peak times.
What can YOU do?
The county’s support for the HSC remains strong and Good Faith Network’s needs to remain steadfast.
Good Faith Network works because we show up and speak with a big voice that won’t be ignored.
Your presence at the Lenexa City Council meeting is crucial – we must show the Lenexa City Council that the HSC is the right solution at the right time. And we do that by showing up. Here are the details for the evening:
Show Up On Tuesday September 17!
- 6:00-6:25 pm – Prayer Vigil – Commons Outdoor Stage
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- City Hall address is 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS, 66219
- Park in the Civic Center Parking Garage off 88th St or the Winchester Parking Garage by the Aquatic Center on 87th
- the Vigil will be held in the Commons, located in the plaza outside City Hall
- 6:25-6:30 pm – Procession to the Hearing Room
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- entering early and together helps ensure we get seats inside the Hearing Room
- 7:00 pm – City Council meeting begins
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- we are doing what we can to ensure our organized public comment occurs in the early parts of the meeting
- water and light snacks will be available to keep us refreshed!
RSVP to let us know you will be there and receive text updates throughout the evening of September 17…
To let us know that you will be joining us on September 17, text GFN to 9133585223.
By texting us, you will opt in to information in real-time throughout September 17.
Also, if you are a Lenexa resident, this is a great place to let us know – we will follow up with you about how you in particular can use your voice that night.
Clergy: please consider letting your congregation know how to connect with us to support the HSC
You can tell your congregation: Good Faith Network is doing one final push for the Homeless Services Center at the Lenexa City Council meeting on Tuesday night. Join the effort by texting GFN to 913-358-5223 for information and updates.
Here is an image for your slide deck, if you would like one:
