photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

City staff, elected officials and members of the public listen to Homeless Programs Coordinator Misty Bosch-Hastings during the "Welcoming Celebration" for The Village on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Lawrence’s Homeless Solutions Division has received a county award recognizing the City Hall department for its work to make the community more prepared for disasters or other disruptions.

The city on Friday morning announced the department recently received the Preparedness Partner Award from the Douglas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), which recognizes community partners, individuals and organizations who have shown exceptional dedication to creating a more prepared community.

The LEPC praised the Homeless Solutions Division for its work during extreme weather events over the last year and emphasized the team’s proactive approach in creating and implementing an effective emergency preparedness plan for The Village, a community of emergency shelter cabins that opened in March 2024.

Along with the shelter cabins, the division has created other shelter options and opened facilities during extreme weather to help people affected by chronic homelessness stay safe.

Misty Bosch-Hastings, the Director of the Homeless Solutions Division, said her department was honored to receive the award that highlighted the division’s dedication to create a safer community.

“It’s truly rewarding to see our efforts acknowledged, and we remain committed to continuing our mission to support and uplift those in need,” Bosch-Hastings said.