A 2025 report from Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) conservatively estimates that homelessness has a $20.2 million annual economic
impact on Wichita and Sedgwick County. The study, which was conducted at the request
of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Homelessness Task Force, is the most comprehensive local effort to date to quantify the financial effects
of homelessness across public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
“Homelessness impacts our entire community. That’s why this City Council took action,
including revising the camping ordinance and making an unprecedented investment in
Second Light, a new shelter with comprehensive services,” said Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. “This study
provides a foundation as we work to implement those efforts and pursue real, lasting
solutions.” The lower-bound documented impact includes:
- At least $11.3 million in public sector costs such as police response, code enforcement, and parks maintenance
- At least $8.9 million in nonprofit sector costs, including healthcare and shelter services
- $35,000+ in direct private sector costs to a single establishment, such as cleanup and property damage
These conservative, or “lower bound” estimates likely understate the full extent of
the impact, particularly for businesses, where only qualitative data were available.
The study also found that many public agencies are devoting increasing staff time
and resources to issues related to homelessness.
For example, the Wichita Police Department responded to more than 6,600 homelessness-related
calls in 2024, equivalent to the workload of three full-time officers. In code enforcement,
inspectors in some districts estimate that up to 75 percent of their time is spent
on issues tied to homelessness.
The nonprofit sector, meanwhile, faces mounting service demands and complex funding
challenges. Local providers often operate with a significant gap between available
resources and the actual need, especially in the areas of mental health and medical
care. Businesses located in high-traffic areas like Downtown and Delano also report
negative effects, ranging from increased insurance premiums to lost revenue and customer
concerns.
Sedgwick County Chairman, Ryan Baty, stressed the importance of understanding the
scale of the challenges we face and the response necessary. “We believe homelessness
and housing to be significant challenges that we must aggressively address,” Baty
said. "This study helps us understand the scale of the crisis, the impact economically
to our communities, and the necessary work to align our efforts with solutions.”
The PPMC report also includes a housing needs assessment, revealing a shortage of
both very low-income rental units and high-end homes. The assessment found that single-person
and large households face the greatest difficulty securing affordable housing. Data
also suggest that suppressed household formation—when individuals delay moving into
their own homes—could represent at least 2,600 potential new households, especially
among adults aged 18 to 34.
The full study identifies several next steps to improve local data and planning:
- Develop standardized tracking systems across public departments
- Expand private sector research to quantify broader economic impacts
- Improve cost-measurement tools for both direct and indirect homelessness-related expenses
These recommendations aim to provide better tools for policymakers and service providers as they respond to a growing and complex community challenge.
Read the full Sedgwick County Homelessness Economic Impact / Housing Study Report HERE.
About the Wichita/Sedgwick County Homelessness Task Force
The Wichita/Sedgwick County Homelessness Task Force brings together city and county leaders, service providers, business, faith communities, and individuals with lived experience to address homelessness in a coordinated and effective way. Formed to respond to growing local needs, the Task Force works to align resources, support coordinated strategic planning, and strengthen partnerships across sectors.
About the PPMC
The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) at Wichita State University serves as a resource for public and nonprofit organizations, providing applied research, community engagement, and professional development to strengthen governance and leadership. Through partnerships across Kansas and beyond, PPMC helps build stronger, more effective public service organizations.
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