For my JMC304 Final, I wrote a article talking about the chronic homeless problem in Lawrence, KS and how business owners, citizens, and workers at the homeless camp view the problem.
LAWRENCE, KAN. – Lawrence has dealt with an increase of their homeless population for the past couple of years. With multiple homeless encampments across the city, many residents and business owners are questioning whether the City of Lawrence has taken enough or the right steps to handle the problem.
The City of Lawrence has publicly stated a plan to help solve the chronic housing problem. On the city’s website, they have stated that by 2028 they plan to make the homeless problem a “rare and brief occurrence.” To achieve this, the city outlined their goals which are Equity and Inclusion, Affordable Housing, Supportive Housing, Systems, and Emergency Shelter and Services.
The City of Lawrence also released a homeless report, titled “A Place for Everyone”, where they go into detail on each goal and how they plan to achieve it. Not only are their goals clearly outlined and formulated, but also a rough timeline is included spanning over the next four years.
It’s clear that the City of Lawrence has acknowledged the chronic homelessness problem and established an outline on how they will fix it, but some business owners feel that this is simply not enough.
In an article by the Kansas Reflector, David Hawley, owner of Papa Keno’s, had multiple concerns about the well being of his staff and customers since the rise of the homeless population. In the article, Hawley said that “I have employees that have been assaulted at work and on the way to their cars after work.” This, he later stated, creates an unsafe work and eating environment for all those involved.
FOX4 News Kansas City, also released a video about a lawsuit against the city of Lawrence for “mismanaging” the homeless camp that rests behind the restaurant and bar. The video goes on to say that the City of Lawrence is enabling rather than assisting the chronic homeless problem, as the homeless camps have extended beyond the fence lines. Multiple business owners, including the owner of Johnny’s Tavern, have sued the city of Lawrence for not enforcing their own rules and having the citizens and workers of many Lawrence businesses pay for it.
To get a better insight to how Lawrence is currently handling the chronic homeless problem, I asked Keely Gaer, student at KU, who works at one of Lawrence’s homeless encampments since December of 2022 , her views on the problem.
When asked what the city of Lawrence has done to help the chronic homeless problem, Gaer said “The city mainly supplied resources such as food, water, tents, medical supplies, and basic first aid to people staying in camps.” Gaer later went on to say “The city has also helped begin the process of registering for benefits and getting people connected with social workers who can aid them in this process as well.”
Gaer said when asked if she has seen progress and change within the homeless community. “Not really. The community is already vulnerable to experiencing violence, but there was amurder in the spring on site that further exemplified the need for changes, regulations, and support to ensure the safety of these individuals.”
It’s also important to understand and know how these people found themselves in the grasps of homelessness. When I asked Graer about what she believes, in her eyes she said it’s a mix of the faultiness of the system and declining mental health.
“Mental health is a struggle many individuals face,” Graer stated. “The most common being schizophrenia. People who suffer from these issues have an extremely difficult time receiving steady help through case management and family, forcing them to live without medication and in a non-ludic state.”
It’s clear that Lawrence has a chronic homeless problem that needs to be fixed. Research and interviews show that many believe that the actions and plans taken by the city are simply not enough and more needs to happen now as opposed to in the future.
If you are someone you know needs emergency shelter contact: (785)-760-1481
Contact info for Keely Gear: Instagram @keelygaer
The second part of the final is to create a video script for the article
Peyton Robey
Slug: Lawrence Homeless Problem
{ANCHOR}
With the growing number and concern of the homeless population and the community of Lawrence, we see how business owners and those who work with the homeless view this issue.
{VO}
<video file=”slug” time=”0:60”>
Good evening my name is Peyton Robey and today we take a look at the growing population of homeless people that live in Lawrence and see how residents of Lawrence and those who work with them view the problem. The City of Lawrence has publicly addressed the problem in their twenty paged solution book called “A place for Everyone.” The city outlines how they plan to fix the homeless problem by 2028 by establishing five work areas which aim to house the homeless, give them treatment, and make housing more affordable. While this no doubt a step in the right direction, some business owners like David Hawley, owner of Papa Keno’s, say that this is not enough as his staff and customers have been harassed multiple times by the homeless creating an unsafe work and dining environment. We even got an interview with Kelly Gaer, a worker at one of the homeless camps and student at KU, where she stated that the homeless community is still very vulnerable and it’s hard for homeless who need medication to get it; further trapping them in homelessness. If you or anyone you know needs emergency shelter contact (785)-760-1481.
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