Wichita State’s Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) recently concluded a report done at the request of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Homelessness Task Force, looking at the economic impact of homelessness in the city and county.
The study is the most comprehensive local effort to date to quantify the financial effects of homelessness across public, nonprofit and private sectors.
“Homelessness impacts our entire community. That’s why this City Council took action, including revising the camping ordinance and making an unprecedented investment in Second Light, a new shelter with comprehensive services,” said Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. “This study provides a foundation as we work to implement those efforts and pursue real, lasting solutions.”
The lower-bound documented impact includes:
- At least $11.3 million in public sector costs such as police response, code enforcement and parks maintenance
- At least $8.9 million in nonprofit sector costs, including healthcare and shelter services
- $35,000+ in direct private sector costs to a single establishment, such as cleanup and property damage
The PPMC report also includes a housing needs assessment, revealing a shortage of both very low-income rental units and high-end homes. The assessment found that single-person and large households face the greatest difficulty securing affordable housing. Data also suggest that suppressed household formation — when individuals delay moving into their own homes — could represent at least 2,600 potential new households, especially among adults aged 18 to 34.
The full study identifies several next steps to improve local data and planning:
- Develop standardized tracking systems across public departments
- Expand private sector research to quantify broader economic impacts
- Improve cost-measurement tools for both direct and indirect homelessness-related expenses
