The Wichita Falls City-Wichita County Homeless Advisory Committee has launched efforts to alleviate the area’s expanding homeless population.
The group, led by Chair Steve Sparks, CEO of Faith Mission, and Vice Chair Dr. Louis Wilson, aims to reduce unsheltered homelessness via community engagement and awareness.
“One of the things we’re really striving to do is reduce unsheltered homelessness,” said Steve Sparks, Faith Mission’s committee chair and CEO.
Vice Chair Dr. Louis Wilson established the committee’s work by presenting the ‘A municipal at Home’ idea to municipal councilors in July.
The committee is launching an awareness campaign to educate the community about available resources, with Councilor-at-large Austin Cobb spearheading the effort.
The committee is deeply concerned about the healthcare gap for the homeless, which frequently results in unnecessary emergency department visits.
Dr. Louis Wilson raised the issue, pointing out that homeless people commonly return to the emergency room if they do not receive sufficient follow-up care.
The committee is considering establishing a 24-hour medical shelter/clinic to provide continued care after initial emergency treatment.
The committee’s programs seek to minimize homelessness while simultaneously closing gaps in resources for individuals in need.
