The lack of a definitive plan to house the excess amount of homeless people in Lawrence is unacceptable with temperatures dropping and winter approaching.

How Overcrowding Started

The most recent challenge for Lawrence’s homeless community has its roots in the hot, muggy days of June and July. This summer, overcrowding became an endemic problem at the Lawrence Community Shelter, because the Salvation Army center stopped accepting overnight stays for the homeless. LCS has increased its capacity twice this year, including an upgrade to their basement to make it safe for sleeping. With winter approaching, LCS continues to operate at near capacity, raising concerns about what will happen if it cannot house everyone looking for housing during inclement weather.

With colder temperatures, some of which were already experienced during one of the coldest Octobers on record, there could be an increased demand on the already-limited supply of overnight housing available at LCS. Cities with sizable homeless populations traditionally witness an increase in demand for housing when temperatures drop below freezing overnight.

No Solution

The increase in capacity that the basement allows has brought overcrowding under control for the time being, according to LCS director Loring Henderson. Still he described the situation as “difficult” and admits that he “doesn’t have a plan B” for looming concerns over emergency housing in the winter.

Not having a definite plan at this stage of the year is concerning, but after two expansions that have expanded LCS capacity from around 30 in the beginning of the year to 76, it is easy to understand that the shelter likely cannot offer any more space on its own. This makes problem solving the responsibility of the larger homelessness community and city officials.

Where additional housing might come from is a question that remains to be answered among these leaders. According to Katherine Dinsdale, member of the Community Commission on Homelessness, a city advisory board, “conversations are planned between Lawrence Community Shelter and other service providers who may be able to help with temporary emergency housing during severe weather.”

Dinsdale also points out that the community has faced the issue of winter housing before, but admitted the closure of the Salvation Army shelter operations will alter the situation.

No Direct Answers

City officials acknowledged that the situation was difficult but insisted the city was taking action in recognition of increased demand for homelessness services. Margene Swarts, city liaison to the Community Commission on Homelessness, pointed to the city’s use of stimulus money to further the commission’s goal of finding permanent housing for the homeless, the recent approval of permits for new sleeping facilities at LCS and the funding of case workers to work with homeless individuals.

When asked more directly about the city’s policy on this issue, Mayor Rob Chestnut said it is something he is considering carefully. He offered praise for Family Promise, a new group that has stepped in to serve families who have been recently displaced as well at LCS’s plans for a new shelter. Chestnut said “there is some element of that population that tends to be transient,” indicating that it can be difficult to estimate the demand for housing in the winter. When asked if he saw the city stepping in directly, Chestnut said “To me, I think we need to stay focused on the goal, which is providing permanent housing.”

Dangerous Situation

Ideally, city and homelessness leaders would always be focused around a housing vision, moving individuals from emergency shelter to permanent housing. Operating in the ideal can be dangerous though, especially for those without the luxury of waiting for commission “visions” to run their course.

Just ignoring the problem, and hoping it will solve itself at this point in the year is unacceptable. While the community at large is ultimately responsible for the well being of all its members, it relies on its leaders to act.

Homelessness community leaders should act by engaging in a well publicized discussion of this issue, perhaps under the auspices of the Community Commission on Homelessness. At the same time city officials should do more than stand behind meaningless visions and be prepared to move quickly on any plans that present themselves.