WICHITA, Kan. – The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) has awarded the Multi-Agency Center (MAC) in Wichita a $150,000 grant to explore multiple funding opportunities to create a long-term public-private partnership to reach the community’s vision of functional zero which is when the number of people entering homelessness is never more than the community’s ability to house them. KHF is working to improve the health of all Kansans, and these funds will help determine how to best sustain the center long-term.

The nonprofit MAC Board, Inc., will serve as the coordinating organization to develop the future multi-agency center, located at 1025 N. Main.

“This is a generational transition to a new system and approach for providing services to those experiencing homelessness in Wichita, and the Kansas Health Foundation is excited to be a part of it,” said Ed O’Malley, KHF President & CEO. “If we want to lead the nation in health, it starts with solving the complex challenges facing communities and ensuring all Kansans have access to the resources they need most.”

Each individual experiencing homelessness has a unique story, and many involve different and complex root causes. These can include the availability of affordable and accessible housing, traumatic personal events, domestic violence, substance abuse disorders, disabilities, mental health issues and poverty.

Because the root causes are so varied and complex, it takes multiple systems to join forces for an integrated approach that requires intense, committed and sustained community collaboration, which has been created in the area through multiple community initiatives over the last two years.

“KHF is working to eliminate inequities that create health disparities, and we understand that KHF’s financial support will be catalytic in generating additional funding and support,” said O’Malley.

“We are excited and grateful for the Kansas Health Foundation awarding a grant to further the work of achieving functional zero homelessness,” said Steve Dixon, volunteer Chairman of the MAC Board, Inc. “As our community comes together in a one-stop, collaborative approach to ensure people are housed, this grant will help facilitate that effort long-term and help us plan for sustainable, ongoing funding. We appreciate the Kansas Health Foundation’s leadership and funding to make a difference in the health of Kansans and this grant will make a long-term difference.”

The City of Wichita committed $6 million in ARPA funds to the development and construction of a multi-agency center and an additional $5 million toward establishing an operating model and providing ongoing services for the first two years to be combined with private dollars.

“The City of Wichita provided critical start-up operating funding for this effort, bringing the community together to provide a year-round, 24-7, low barrier shelter combined with the resources to move people into housing,” Dixon said. “The funds from the Kansas Health Foundation provide the ability to determine the best approach for securing ongoing funding to make the multi-agency center an effective and sustainable public-private partnership.”

Over the coming year, the nonprofit MAC Board will continue working toward developing a fully functioning resource center with a name to be established, including developing a service model and continued collaboration with providers to develop a fully functional service center.

This funding helps KHF play a meaningful, yet limited, role in one of the most extensive state, city, county, nonprofit, and private sector collaborations in the Wichita community.

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