Kansas homeless advocates say that unhoused residents need more support from state and local governments to get back on their feet. The Kansas Reflector reports that advocates are calling on the government to step in and provide more funding for the growing homeless population in Wichita.
The Kansas Mental Health Coalition said they want to focus on creating more resources for unhoused residents across Kansas. They stress the importance of mental health resources to assist the homeless as they work toward financial freedom.
Kansas City saw an increase in unhoused residents after the COVID-19 crisis. Many people lost their jobs and homes. These residents reported their mental health being affected, which prevented them from securing employment.
The University of Chicago conducted a research study that found 500,000 people in the United States were homeless in 2020. The study found that people of color (minorities) faced a greater risk of being homeless.
The study learned that people experiencing homelessness have a higher mortality risk than their peers. An unhoused 40-year-old had the mortality risk of someone 65 years old.