photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

The Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St., on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Lawrence city commissioners next week will consider a $3.15 million funding agreement with the Lawrence Community Shelter to provide emergency sheltering and other services for the homeless.

The agreement the commission will vote on Tuesday is similar to the one from 2025, though it’s smaller than the $3.5 million that was approved that year. A report in the commission’s meeting agenda from the Homeless Solutions Division says the city’s intent is to gradually reduce the shelter’s reliance on city funding, and that this year’s agreement represents a 10% reduction from last year’s.

Like last year, the shelter would be obligated to provide 125 beds at the main shelter building, 48 beds at the Pallet 24 facility behind the building, and 50 beds at The Village, the community of Pallet cabins on North Michigan Street. The agreement also requires the shelter to provide winter sheltering services during severe weather; “assist with rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing”; and provide structured programming and three meals a day for guests, among other services.

The shelter’s allocation would come from multiple city funds this year, as was the case last year. The agreement says $640,000 would come from the Special Alcohol Fund, $1.26 million from the city’s affordable housing sales tax fund, and the remaining $1.25 million from the city’s general fund.

The commission meets at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.