photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

An all-terrain vehicle used by the Homeless Response Team is pictured on Dec. 11, 2024.

The City of Lawrence has further refined its policy regarding who is a local resident for purposes of receiving homeless services, according to a Monday news release.

The city instituted the policy last August to prioritize the limited resources for use by residents, and it has now updated the plan to “better maintain consistency and accountability when assessing eligibility for services.”

The city’s Homeless Response Team is responsible for helping people transition out of unsheltered homelessness. Key updates to the policy include:

• Clarification on former residents: Individuals who previously lived in Lawrence but relocated elsewhere are considered nonresidents. Past residency does not establish current eligibility to receive homeless services.

• Re-establishing residency: Residency cannot be re-established through shelter stays, encampments or services. Residency is only re-established through independently securing and maintaining permanent housing in Douglas County.

• Return plan: The policy now states that individuals may return to their community of origin or to another community where they have confirmed support and are welcome to return.

• Return plan requirements: The return plan must now include contact with receiving agencies or individuals to confirm acceptance and coordination.

“These changes demonstrate that our priority is to ensure Douglas County residents experiencing homelessness have access to the support and services they need to regain stability,” said Misty Bosch-Hastings, director of the city’s Homeless Solutions Division, said in the release. “At the same time, we’re committed to helping vulnerable non-residents return to the appropriate community to receive the care they need. It’s about balancing compassion with accountability, reinforcing responsible allocation of resources, and ensuring everyone is connected to the best path forward.”