Residents press for homelessness metrics as commissioners weigh review of 'Place for Everyone' plan

Residents and commissioners pressed for clearer, system-level information about homelessness and behavioral-health clients at the June 24 Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting, and the board spent substantial time debating whether to formally revisit the multiyear "Place for Everyone" homelessness strategy.

Resident John M told the commission the county needs outcome and client-flow metrics for people with chronic behavioral-health and substance-use disorders, saying the county jail has become a de facto psychiatric facility for people awaiting competency hearings. "The Douglas County Jail has become the county default psychiatric facility," John M said, adding that state law limits involuntary commitment and forced medication procedures and that court dockets and competency hearings are congested. He urged, "Don't just tell us, the taxpayers, that there are gaps. Show us the client flow through the system as they cycle among the services."

Later in miscellaneous discussion, Commissioner Dorsey and other commissioners said they want a fuller look at the Place for Everyone strategy as budget season approaches and suggested coordinating any review or community conversation with the City of Lawrence, which is undergoing leadership changes. Commissioner Dorsey asked for joint consideration because the city's budget choices could affect county funding decisions; Sarah, the county staff member, said a post-budget community conversation once the city's new manager is in place would be reasonable and that some parts of the plan intersect with programs the county already funds.

Several commissioners cautioned that the county cannot unilaterally implement community-wide solutions and that plans such as Plan 2040 and Place for Everyone are aspirational, involving multiple funders and partners. Commissioners discussed the possibility of a targeted review that prioritizes strategies that have stalled, and staff suggested that use of staff time to study new initiatives should be signaled by a majority interest among commissioners.

Context and next steps: staff noted county budget hearings begin in early July and the consolidated fire district No. 1 hearing is scheduled for July 1; commissioners generally agreed to pursue a more comprehensive community conversation about Place for Everyone after the current budget cycle and after the City of Lawrence's new city manager is established. No formal change to funding or policy was made at the June 24 meeting.