WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Today was the deadline for organizations that want to run Wichita’s winter shelter to submit their proposals.
The city expects it to open at the old Park Elementary School in less than eight weeks.
KSN doesn’t know when the city will decide who gets the contract to run the shelter. With the city planning to open the shelter around Thanksgiving, city leaders and homeless advocates are hopeful about the progress.
“This is the first time in several decades that this community has come together in the aspects of state, county and city government, private business leaders, providers in the community and the community members,” says Dawn Shepler, President & CEO of HumanKind Ministries.
HumanKind wants to help turn the old Park Elementary School into a place of hope for the un-housed this winter.
“HumanKind did submit a proposal to operate the emergency winter shelter,” said Shepler.
Wichita City Council Member Mike Hoheisel would only say the city has received at least one proposal to run the shelter for more than 250 people. With the target date to open at the end of November, there’s a lot of work yet to be done.
“The things that are holding us back right now, we have to get certification from HUD. They’ll be looking at it this month. I don’t expect there to be any hold-ups with that,” said Hoheisel.
He added, “The other holdup is also installing a sprinkler system.”
HumanKind’s C.E.O. says that if picked, the organization will be ready in the next two months but is willing to help no matter what.
“The bunk beds, the masks, the blankets, the towels, those are all part of humankind property,” said Shepler.
She added, “Those items will most likely begin to be utilized again this year, no matter who the operator is chosen for the service.”
Council Member Hoheisel says a lot of work will require volunteers, but he’s hopeful on the impact the shelter can create.
“My biggest hope is that we serve as a model for other communities to take charge of the issues that they have going on in their communities. We can’t pass the buck to other communities. We need to take care of the people that we have here,” said Hoheisel.
