Every afternoon for 30 years, as many as 100 men and women have lined up behind reStart’s homeless shelter in downtown Kansas City, waiting for overnight stays in a grim dormitory.
They got a free meal and bunk bed in a crowded room. But they had to leave during the day, often to wander the streets and then return to line up again each afternoon.
But this week reStart is declaring, “This is the end of the line.”
Literally. No more lining up.
Instead, single adults will stay in rooms of four to six people that they can call home while reStart helps them find long-term housing. It’s part of a national trend to end chronic homelessness, and it’s showing early signs of success in Kansas City.
“This is a big change,” said reStart CEO Evie Craig.
The agency’s $2 million renovation is replacing grungy, antiquated dormitories for men and women at 918 E. Ninth St. with smaller four-person quads and supportive services during the day. Money for the renovation came from capital campaign donors. The new rooms, serving 48 men and 42 women at a time, should be finished by Friday, with a grand opening Nov. 18.
“Home for Good” fits into a bigger initiative launched over the past three years by reStart and its social service partners aimed at getting people off the streets and into affordable long-term housing. Customized mental health, life skills and job counseling services are provided as needed.