J-W Editorial staff
Lawrence Journal-World Editorial
A wonderful sign of the human spirit was on display this holiday season as city officials, local nonprofits, a local business and community volunteers came together to fill an urgent need.
On Dec. 23, the city finalized an agreement with Lawrence’s Days Inn hotel to serve as a temporary shelter for homeless individuals who otherwise would find themselves battling the harsh elements of Kansas winter nights. This is the second such hotel project in the community, with the other one operating at the Econo Lodge University hotel.
This latest project undoubtedly took a lot of last-minute planning and unexpected work from many parties. It is a testament to Lawrence’s community spirit of compassion that the work got done and that individuals are now being safely housed at the hotel.
Days Inn, 730 Iowa St., is pictured Dec. 24, 2020.
With the help of volunteers, the city of Lawrence will be opening an overnight drop-in shelter that aims to provide a safe option in freezing temperatures for the more than 100 homeless people currently estimated to be sleeping outside.
The city and other partners finalized agreements Wednesday afternoon so that the shelter could open Wednesday night, according to Assistant City Manager Brandon McGuire. McGuire said the city has contracted with Days Inn, 730 Iowa St., to host the shelter and signed an agreement with the volunteer group Lawrence Coalition for Homeless Concerns to operate the shelter.