Lenexa City Council Rejects Homeless Shelter Permit
In a surprising turn of events, the Lenexa City Council has shot down a critical permit that would have ushered in a year-round homeless shelter in the city. After a lengthy, packed meeting that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning, the council decided by a vote of 5-2 to deny a special use permit for Johnson County to establish a homeless shelter at the La Quinta Inn and Suites and a nearby vacant restaurant situated off Interstate 35 and 95th Street.
A Tough Day for Johnson County Officials
This decision is a significant setback for Johnson County officials, who have dedicated the past year to assessing the location and preparing to finalize the purchase of the property. With this rejection, any chance of moving forward with this site—currently seen as the most viable option for a shelter for single adults experiencing homelessness—has effectively been dashed.
During the nearly six-hour meeting, community members expressed a range of opinions on the proposed shelter. With about 50 residents sharing their thoughts, council members expressed concerns that the shelter would not only disrupt the neighborhood’s character but also place an “undue burden” on city resources and law enforcement. This sentiment mirrored a previous unanimous decision by the planning commission to deny the permit.
Concerns About Community Impact
Councilman Craig Denny articulated his apprehensions, explaining that he sympathizes with the issue of homelessness but cannot endorse the proposed site for a shelter. He stated, “I think it puts an additional, and I think unwarranted, burden on the city,” emphasizing that converting the hotel into a homeless shelter would remove a business that contributes significantly to the local tax base.
According to the city staff, a shelter could result in a substantial increase in police activity, estimating the need for three additional officers at a cost of over $450,000. Police Chief Dawn Layman confirmed this expectation, stating the shelter would likely lead to more welfare checks and medical calls – though she noted that many individuals experiencing homelessness are often victims rather than perpetrators of crime.
A Plan for 50 Beds
The shelter was planned to accommodate 50 beds, complete with private rooms and access to critical resources, including healthcare and job opportunities. Additionally, there was a plan for 25 transitional housing units to support residents moving toward permanent homes. However, council members expressed skepticism over the adequacy of reStart’s management plan, arguing that it had been hastily constructed and lacked sufficient financial and operational sustainability.
In response to the council’s decision, Stephanie Boyer, CEO of reStart, defended the shelter’s design and objectives, asserting that similar facilities in Kansas City have not generated the spike in 911 calls that some council members feared.
Voices of Support and Opposition
Supporters within the council, such as Councilwoman Chelsea Williamson, urged for a more measured approach, suggesting the county reopen its request for proposals to find an operator that could provide comprehensive support services. “This is more of a diversion Band-Aid that shelters them for a few months,” she said, pushing for a more holistic approach to tackling homelessness.
Despite strong advocacy from Councilwomen Melanie Arroyo and Courtney Eiterich, who voted in favor of the permit, the council’s majority ultimately sided against it. They expressed frustration with the notion that the need for homelessness services could be dismissed, especially given rising homelessness rates in Johnson County.
Next Steps for Johnson County
Now, the rejection raises questions about the future of the homeless shelter initiative. Johnson County officials are tasked with reassessing the project and seeking new locations that might be more palatable to local governments, all while racing against the clock to utilize federal funding that has specific obligation deadlines. The potential for legal action from reStart looms large, as the organization challenges the council’s decision, arguing it might infringe upon the Fair Housing Act.
This incident highlights a pressing issue faced by communities nationwide: balancing the needs of vulnerable populations with local concerns. Despite advocates pleading for shelters, forming prayer vigils, and rallying support, local apprehensions about impacts on safety and property values have emerged as significant barriers.
As the dust settles on this contentious meeting, one thing is crystal clear: the journey toward establishing a permanent homeless shelter in Lenexa is far from over, but whether it will overcome the hurdles that lie ahead remains uncertain.
