Wichita, Kansas's city council plans on voting on a proposed amendment to its urban camping ordinance. This new ordinance would allow a single 911 call to destroy the property of the innocent unhoused members of our community in an act commonly known as a "sweep". The current ordinance requires that encampments be given a 72 hour notice.

The new ordinance also proposes that those found guilty of setting up unlawful encampments will receive a fine of $200 with community service instead of a $500 fine. Additionally, people who are found camping could be jailed under the new ordinance. According to the Lawrence, Kansas Police Department, jailing an individual costs on average $1000 of taxpayer money!

These proposed changes will do NOTHING to address the root causes of homelessness in our community. They will not even address the symptoms. According to the National Heath Care for the Homeless Council: 

• Sweeps damage health, well-being, and connections to care
• Sweeps compromise personal safety and civic trust
• Sweeps undermine paths to housing and financial stability
• Sweeps create unnecessary costs for local communities

We cannot allow ourselves to generalize any population of people. In order to invest in the future of Wichita, we must come together and eliminate any fines in Wichita's urban camping ordinances that make housing even less affordable. No citizen can afford housing when a city repeatedly steals their IDs, incarcerates them (causing them to lose their job), and drives them deep into debt.

Wichita must do better. Wichita can do better.

Summary: Wichita MUST VOTE NO on the proposed ordinance and instead eliminate any fines for urban camping.