Strategy

Housing-focused encampment response

A coordinated framework for responding to encampments in Kansas City by pairing site assessment and prioritization with outreach, service connection, housing navigation, closure planning, cleanup, and follow-up.

Purpose

The strategy balances urgency, safety, and housing pathways.

Removing or displacing people without support does not resolve homelessness. Kansas City’s model is built around engagement, safety, housing pathways, and coordinated action.

Core idea: The Allen Index helps determine which encampments require the most urgent response based on risk to human life and community safety.

Core Components

Four components guide the work.

Intensive Outreach & Engagement

Housing-focused case management by skilled outreach teams so each resident has a permanent housing strategy.

Project Outreach Connect

A coordinated housing and resource event that matches residents with interim placement or pathways to permanent housing.

Clearance

Removal of structures, debris, and items identified as waste after engagement and planning steps occur.

Closure

Clear communication that the location is closed, supported by monitoring, follow-up, and enforcement when needed.

Success Factors

What makes the strategy work.

Effective balance of engagement and enforcement
  • Clearance and closure with housing supports endorsed by all partners.
  • Strategy is coordinated from a single project lead.
Address barriers to housing
  • Secure identification documents.
  • Support applications and disability verification.
  • Coordinate legal barrier removal when possible.
Variety of housing resources
  • Options may include interim housing, family reunification, diversion, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing.
Total encampment response
  • The goal is not only individual placement, but addressing the full site and reducing pressure to re-form.