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Douglas County approves ongoing funding for Artists Helping the Homeless, commissioners press for program data
Summary
Douglas County commissioners approved $36,000 in ongoing funding for Artists Helping the Homeless and asked staff about data collection and the promised regional HMIS dashboard for homelessness services.
Douglas County commissioners approved a $36,000 ongoing addition to support Artists Helping the Homeless as part of the county's fiscal year 2025 community partner budget.
The vote came after a brief public comment exchange in which an audience member asked whether the county requires measurable reporting from community partners and why a promised homelessness dashboard has not appeared. County staff and a regional partner described ongoing work to bring HMIS (the Homeless Management Information System, known locally as Clarity) access and a data dashboard online.
The exchange focused on accountability and whether locally funded programs should meet reporting standards comparable to HUD-funded projects. A resident who identified herself as a program advocate urged the county to require quantification of results, saying HUD-funded programs must provide such data and asking why county-funded programs should be treated differently.
Jill Jolliker, participating online as a county partner contact, said the county has been “having extensive conversations with the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition” and that the coalition — which administers the balance-of-state continuum of care and HMIS access — is responsible for delivering the real-time dashboard. “We're making progress, and I hope that we have that done here soon,” Jolliker said.
County staff confirmed community partner agreements with Artists Helping the Homeless include data-collection requirements. Commissioners said staff works with partners to determine metrics and that partners report results at meetings.
Commissioner Reid moved and a colleague seconded authorization of the added $36,000 in ongoing funding, which staff said brings the program's total fiscal year 2025 budget to $448,686. The motion passed.
The action does not change procurement or reporting rules; commissioners and staff said they will rely on the county's community-partner contract terms (which require metrics) and follow up on the regional dashboard update if it becomes available.
