A prioritization tool used to determine which encampments require the most urgent response, based on risk to human life and community safety. Developed by the City of KCMO Division of Unhoused Solutions, aligned with ZeroKC, HUD, and USICH frameworks.
Scoring Framework
Each encampment is scored on a 100-point scale based on the likelihood of bodily harm or premature fatality. The score determines urgency of response and resource allocation.
Encampment Classification
Approximately 3,000 people experience unsheltered homelessness in Kansas City. Encampments are organized into three size categories to guide appropriate response strategies.
Core Components
Kansas City's encampment response strategy pairs intensive outreach and engagement with a coordinated housing event to connect every resident to housing before clearance and closure.
Housing-focused case management by skilled outreach teams to ensure every encampment resident has a permanent housing strategy.
Resource-intensive housing fair to match all encampment residents with an interim housing placement or pathway to permanent housing.
Removing structures and belongings from encampments after all residents have been engaged and housing strategies activated.
Requiring that people leave encampments, supported by an official notice of closure posted to prevent re-occupation and enable enforcement.
Enforcement
The Allen Index score determines which enforcement response type is applied. Each type carries a different level of urgency, notice period, and resource deployment.
Reserved for encampments that pose an immediate threat to human life or public safety. No advance notice period — response is activated as soon as the safety concern is identified and confirmed.
Applied to encampments with significant safety or health concerns that require timely action but allow for a short notice window. Residents are given 72 hours to vacate with connections to available services.
The most comprehensive response type. A full two-week engagement and planning period precedes closure, culminating in a coordinated Surge Event (Project Outreach Connect) to connect every resident to housing before the site is cleared.
Encampment Decommissioning
A structured multi-week process ensures every encampment resident is connected to housing before clearance and closure occurs.
Practice Standards
All outreach teams and staff adhere to these core practice standards for effective engagement with unsheltered persons.
Roles & Responsibilities
A centralized decommissioning process with strategic leadership among government and non-government partners is essential to success.
| Partner / Entity | Role | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Division of Unhoused Solutions | Project Lead | Defines encampment decommissioning schedule; coordinates all partners; manages MOUs; leads Project Outreach Connect events; identifies funding. |
| CORE Outreach Teams | Outreach | Housing-focused outreach to encampment residents; crisis resolution; housing placements via Diversion, RRH, PSH; participates in Project OC events. |
| Non-Profit Providers | General Outreach | Locate, identify and build relationships with unsheltered persons; provide housing assistance, healthcare, legal, and employment connections. |
| Kansas City Police Department | Law Enforcement | Supports engagement and first responder coordination; distributes Encampment Violation Warnings; enforces land use ordinances. |
| Parks Department | Public Safety | Ensures public safety in parks and public green spaces; employs innovative problem-solving in lieu of ticketing; enforces encampment warnings at park locations. |
| Community Improvement District (CID) | Public Safety | Keeps businesses safe by enforcing regular clearance in commercial and business district areas; coordinates with outreach partners on encampments impacting economic corridors. |
| Public Works | Cleanup Support | Leads debris removal and site cleanup coordination; removes bulky items and solid waste from encampment sites; assists in staging dumpsters and coordinating cleanup crews before, during, and after encampment closures. |
Case Study
A multi-agency response demonstrating the Allen Index in action — 71 total services logged across assessment, documents, shelter, treatment, legal, mental health, and more.
Success Factors
The presence of each component alone does not guarantee success. These intangible elements are essential to a fully functional encampment strategy.
Roadmap
Ongoing success requires significant system investments in specialized services, outreach expansion, and a growing supply of safe, supportive housing options.