News - Our Stories

A New Beginning: Maria's Journey Home

October 9, 2024 | Posted in Our Stories

After seven years of street homelessness, and some time spent living in a tent in a friend’s backyard, the team at Kim Wilson Housing was able to help Maria* get into an apartment of her own. Maria's housing situation has also paved the way for another memorable moment - having her mother come over to visit for the first time in seven years, which made Maria feel extremely grateful for where she is at in life.

Maria has received many compliments from her landlord on the cleanliness of her apartment. She sends updates to the Kim Wilson Housing team from time to time, including letting them know that her mom now visits every few weeks. Maria says she is grateful to have a place to call home again.

*Name has been changed

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Lester Paul's Place: Preventing Discharge into Homelessness

August 29, 2024 | Posted in Our Stories

In August 2023, Wyandot Behavioral Health Network (BHN) took a significant step in reducing the number of individuals discharged into homelessness from state psychiatric hospitals. Recognizing the urgent need for transitional support, Wyandot BHN launched Lester Paul’s Place, a 24/7 transitional housing program designed to prevent individuals from being discharged into homelessness. 

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HUD Awards Kim Wilson Housing $1.5 Million for Housing Programs

April 3, 2023 | Posted in Our Stories

Kim Wilson Housing recently received $1.5 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support housing programs in Wyandotte County. Rachel Erpelding, Executive Director for Kim Wilson Housing, says these funds will have a significant impact in Wyandotte County.

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Homeless Outreach: Meeting People Where They Are

July 18, 2022 | Posted in Our Stories

“We just start with small talk. I try not to dive into the big questions right away.”

That’s the approach Delesia Hill uses when she interacts with individuals who are homeless. Hill is a case manager on the Homeless Outreach Team at Kim Wilson Housing. The team works alongside Cross-Lines Community Outreach and the Kansas City Kansas Police Department to help individuals experiencing homelessness.

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Teaming Up to Better Understand Homelessness in Wyandotte County

March 14, 2022 | Posted in Our Stories

“So many people are one paycheck away from homelessness. COVID-19 has increased that.”

That trend has come to light during the past two Point-in-Time Count surveys, according to Tracy Lockett, Homeless Outreach Supervisor at Kim Wilson Housing.

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Community Partner Spotlight: Giving the Basics

October 14, 2021 | Posted in Our Stories

For the past decade, Giving the Basics has worked alongside hundreds of Kansas City area organizations and schools to supply the basic necessities for a clean and healthy life. That list of partner agencies includes Kim Wilson Housing and Frank Williams Outreach Center.

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A Second Chance and a Fresh Start

October 1, 2021 | Posted in Our Stories

Kim Wilson Housing’s newest congregate housing site, Kim’s Place, is making a difference for individuals seeking affordable housing. For Teresa*, Kim’s Place was the difference between safety and homelessness.

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New Year, New Adventure: Kim Wilson Housing Opens Kim’s Place

April 19, 2021 | Posted in Our Stories

2021 is off to an exciting start for the team at Kim Wilson Housing as they begin moving residents into Kim’s Place, their new congregate housing site.

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Home for the Holidays

January 16, 2020 | Posted in Our Stories

Last fall, a woman called Kim Wilson Housing to see if they could help find a home for her homeless brother. Jim (not his real name) lived with depression and had recently experienced a series of strokes that left him unable to work.

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