Today, Johnson County is one step closer to having an all-year, 24-hour a day homeless services center to fill a much-needed gap in community services. The Board of County Commissioners authorized Chairman Mike Kelly to execute an assignment agreement with reStart, Inc.

In April, an RFP review committee which included city and county staff and subject matter experts unanimously recommended reStart as the owner and operator of the proposed homeless services center, which would be located near I-35 and 95th Street in Lenexa.

"Today's action reaffirms the county's commitment to ending homelessness and supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community as they work towards stabilization, permanent housing and employment," said BOCC Chairman Mike Kelly. "While we are grateful for this once-in-a-generation opportunity to leverage federal dollars and provide temporary supportive housing for unhoused adults, we know that our work is not done. Increasing access to attainable housing is key to ending homelessness. We appreciate our partners in other government entities, non-profit organizations, businesses and residents, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate as we address the spectrum of housing needs in our community."

The assignment agreement determines the terms and scope of transferring the hotel property from the county to reStart at the time of closing, including roles and responsibilities for both parties. It also includes a deed restriction that the primary use of the property will be a non-congregate shelter for 10 years, and failure to do so reverts ownership back to the county.

Today's board action also authorized the reallocation and expenditure of $3.7 million from the Countywide Support Funds, which originated from federal COVID-19 funding, to reStart for renovations. Since this project is adhering to federal eligible expenses, 10% will go towards early operating costs and capacity building.

In Dec. 2023, the BOCC entered a real estate agreement with the owner of the property (currently a La Quinta hotel and a former restaurant) which is expected to close on or around Oct. 31. Since then, a team of county staff have been working on due diligence of the property (including environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead-based paint reviews and indoor air quality inspections.) Results of all of the due diligence is available at jocogov.org/homeless-services-center.

"Dozens of county staff have worked on a cross-organizational team since early January to partner with experts in the field on due diligence, legal and financial reviews, a communication and outreach campaign and so much more," said County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson. "I appreciate this effort, along with several months of discussions and policy decisions by our Board, to move us even closer to the finish line for this visionary and innovative project."

Next Steps for the Project

On Monday, July 22, reStart submitted an application to the City of Lenexa for a Special Use Permit, which would be required for a homeless services center to operate at the intended location. The project is tentatively scheduled for consideration at Lenexa's planning commission meeting on Aug. 26, and then by the Lenexa City Council on Sept. 17. Learn more here.

In August, county staff plan to come back to the BOCC with an action agenda item on a county financial contribution towards a proposed city/county fund. If approved, this fund would support reStart's ongoing operations of the homeless services center. Learn more here.

The public will have two opportunities to learn more about the project and ask questions at these planned public meetings.

• Wednesday, August 21, 5:30-7 p.m., Sunset Drive Office Building, room 1070/1075 (11811 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe)
• Thursday, August 22, 5:30-7 p.m., Monticello Library, Monticello Community Meeting Room (22435 W. 66th Street, Shawnee)

The best way to keep up to date on the Homeless Services Center is by visiting jocogov.org/homeless-services-center.

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