For more than a decade, the City of Pittsburg has annually applied for the Emergency Solutions Grant through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. This year, the city is requesting over $300,000 to support its homeless community. “We also help with homeless prevention funds, which assist individuals in staying housed by covering back rent or utilities assistance. Additionally, there’s funding for shelter operations,” said Megan Keener, Assistant Director of Housing. Last year, Pittsburg applied for $450,000 but received approximately $100,000. If the full amount isn’t granted this year, city officials plan to be strategic with the funds they do receive. “We have to be more mindful of how much we are helping individuals. We just need to ensure that we are truly helping those who need the assistance,” Keener added. However, not all residents are confident in the city’s approach. Rodger Lomshek, co-founder of the Facebook group “Citizens for Pittsburg,” which has 5,000 members, voiced his skepticism. “If this is the way to solve the problem—more money or more people working—why is the problem continually getting worse?” Lomshek questioned.
Source: KOAM News
