The Public Works and Safety Standing Committee voted Monday to authorize the Unified Government to apply for a federal Community Policing Development microgrant that would fund expanded homeless outreach efforts by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.

Captain Shanae Davis, who leads community policing for KCKPD, told the committee the department plans to apply to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services under the "homelessness and squatting" subcategory. "Funds awarded under the competitive grant program will assist law enforcement agencies with developing and implementing innovative community policing strategies," Davis said, adding the Police Department would use any award to "expand our existing homeless outreach initiatives" and to host quarterly outreach fairs providing basic necessities and resources.

Davis said the anticipated award amount is "$175,000 with no match from the UG" and that she will be the staff member preparing the grant application; the department does not have a dedicated grant writer at this time. The committee's chair framed the award as "exciting" because it requires no participation from the Unified Government budget if awarded.

Committee members raised no substantive objections. The clerk called the roll after a motion and second; the meeting record shows Commissioners Gonzales, Lopez, Burns, Stites and Burrows voting aye and the motion carried. The committee asked whether any public comments had been received; the clerk reported none.

If funded, Davis said the department intends to allocate personnel and outreach resources to address issues arising from gatherings of homeless individuals and to run quarterly outreach fairs that provide supplies and referrals. The application process and possible award do not obligate the Unified Government to a local match, and the project period stated in the committee presentation begins on 10/01/2025 and runs to "September 30" (year not specified in the presentation). The committee approved the request to apply; final acceptance of any award would be a separate action if the grant is awarded.