Experts Fear Kansas City Homeless Population Double Trouble In Four Years

This national report offers a scary glimpse at the future with insight into how KCMO can confront the worsening housing crisis before it gets out of control.

Check-it . . .

According to a 2023 HUD report, 95.7% of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in the Kansas City metropolitan area were unsheltered, the worst rate of any major U.S. city. It's a challenge Josh Henges, homelessness prevention coordinator for the city of Kansas City, is trying to solve . . .

At Henges' side are his street outreach coordinators Kevin Morgan and Nick Allen. Allen is the point man, he works to build trust, a crucial first step in getting people off the streets.

"We are set to double our homeless population in less than four years because we're not doing this right," said Henges, who is seeking to change that trajectory. "...Homelessness is the most solvable problem America has chosen not to solve."

Henges' solution would involve building "a system that delivers people out of homelessness, no matter where they fall in, that is what you have to do." He calls it "functional zero" — aiming for anyone who becomes homeless to be back on their feet in 30 days.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City tries a different tack to address its homeless crisis