The Hope Faith organization provides critical support to people experiencing homelessness in Kansas City, Missouri, focusing on case management, diversion assistance, violence victim support, and drug use prevention. Their dedicated Diversion and Prevention Team works closely with individuals to address immediate needs and guide them toward stability and safety. To enhance these efforts, the organization will utilize COMBAT funding to add a new staff member to manage the Guest Experience Team and support case managers funded through other sources. This addition will strengthen the ability to enroll participants in programs, track progress, and respond to specific needs, ensuring effective service delivery.

Addressing Violence & Victimization

Research from the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council highlights the elevated risks of violence faced by people experiencing homelessness. Nearly half of men (49%) and women (48%) surveyed reported experiencing violence. Certain groups, including older adults and those homeless for longer than two years, face particularly high risks. Women experiencing homelessness are more likely to suffer violence, including rape, often at the hands of known perpetrators, with continued trauma afterward.

In Kansas City, these risks are reflected in community data. A recent meeting involving COMBAT, the Kansas City Police Department, and other community leaders revealed that up to 40% of recent homicides, gunshot injuries, and violent incidents involved individuals who were homeless. On any given day, Hope Faith’s campus serves approximately 200 people experiencing homelessness, underscoring the urgent need for expanded and focused support services.

Foundations For Stability

Hope Faith’s programs focus on meeting immediate needs while fostering long-term stability. Two flagship programs—the Clean Up KC program and the Heart Cart program—offer unique entry points for individuals seeking to improve their lives.

• Clean Up KC Program: This initiative is designed to improve community health and safety in high-need areas of Kansas City, particularly Hotspot B in Jackson County. By providing holistic support that includes violence prevention, mental health care, housing assistance, and access to healthcare services, the program aims to reduce crime and shorten the length of homelessness for participants.
• Heart Cart Program: Recognizing that lack of secure storage for personal belongings is a significant barrier to shelter and services, the Heart Cart program offers people experiencing homelessness a safe place to store vital items. Often chronically homeless, these individuals frequently cycle through periods of street homelessness. Access to secure storage encourages them to engage more fully with support services and take steps toward housing and recovery.

Comprehensive Case Management & Harm Reduction

Both programs emphasize a housing-first, low-barrier approach, meaning participants are supported in obtaining stable housing without preconditions that might otherwise exclude them. Case management services include harm reduction strategies, which focus on minimizing the negative effects of substance use without requiring immediate abstinence.

Through personalized care plans, individuals are connected to:

• Substance abuse treatment and behavioral health care.
• Medical and mental health services.
• Housing resources aimed at permanent placement.
• Employment assistance to help achieve financial independence.

This comprehensive approach addresses the multiple, intertwined challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, improving outcomes across health, safety, and stability.

Strengthening The Guest Experience Team

To effectively support the growing number of individuals seeking assistance, Hope Faith is requesting funding for a new staff position dedicated to managing the Guest Experience Team. This manager will provide essential oversight and coordination for case managers, enhancing the quality and consistency of services. Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting case managers who provide direct service to guests.
• Ensuring accurate enrollment and documentation of participants.
• Monitoring progress and outcomes for individuals in the Heart Cart and Clean Up KC programs.
• Responding to the unique needs of participants, including housing, healthcare, and social support.

By bolstering this team, Hope Faith aims to provide more personalized, effective case management, preventing clients from falling through the cracks and promoting long-term success.

Expected Outcomes & Community Impact

With increased capacity and a focus on targeted interventions, Hope Faith’s programs aim to achieve measurable improvements in key areas:

• Reduced violence among people experiencing homelessness by providing trauma-informed support and connection to resources.
• Shortened duration of homelessness through expedited access to housing and wraparound services.
• Decreased involvement in crime, supporting safer neighborhoods for all residents.
• Improved physical and mental health outcomes by linking participants with healthcare and substance use treatment.

Together, these outcomes contribute to safer, healthier communities and empower individuals to regain stability and self-sufficiency.

Vital Services

Hope Faith’s Diversion and Prevention Team offers vital services to some of Kansas City’s most vulnerable residents—those experiencing homelessness and facing heightened risks of violence and health challenges. Through innovative programs like Clean Up KC and Heart Cart, combined with dedicated case management and harm reduction efforts, the organization strives to break cycles of homelessness and victimization.

With additional staffing to manage and support the Guest Experience Team, Hope Faith will enhance its ability to serve hundreds of individuals daily, offering a pathway to housing, employment, and a more secure future. This comprehensive approach aligns with the broader community goal of fostering dignity, safety, and opportunity for all residents of Jackson County.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.