About us
Mission
Mission
Mission
To advance the collaborative goal to prevent poverty and end homelessness through knowledge sharing, creative strategies and community partnerships within the Greater Kansas City area.
Vision
Vision
Vision
A local community where every person has access to housing as a platform upon which to build a healthy, stable and meaningful life.
GKCCEH / MO-604
The Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKCCEH), as the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Lead Agency, plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission to prevent poverty and end homelessness in the Greater Kansas City area through several strategic efforts:
Knowledge Sharing and Data Utilization
Creative Strategies and Innovation
Community Partnerships and Collaboration
Resource Allocation and Management
Data Collection and Analysis
GKCCEH gathers and analyzes data on homelessness, including conducting the annual Point-In-Time Count and utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track service utilization and outcomes. This data is crucial for understanding the scope of homelessness, identifying trends, and making informed decisions.
Public Reporting
By making data available to the public and stakeholders, GKCCEH ensures transparency and fosters community-wide understanding of homelessness issues. This empowers local organizations and policymakers to address homelessness more effectively.
Knowledge Sharing and Data Utilization
Creative Strategies and Innovation
Community Partnerships and Collaboration
Resource Allocation and Management
Data Collection and Analysis
GKCCEH gathers and analyzes data on homelessness, including conducting the annual Point-In-Time Count and utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track service utilization and outcomes. This data is crucial for understanding the scope of homelessness, identifying trends, and making informed decisions.
Public Reporting
By making data available to the public and stakeholders, GKCCEH ensures transparency and fosters community-wide understanding of homelessness issues. This empowers local organizations and policymakers to address homelessness more effectively.
Knowledge Sharing and Data Utilization
Creative Strategies and Innovation
Community Partnerships and Collaboration
Resource Allocation and Management
Data Collection and Analysis
GKCCEH gathers and analyzes data on homelessness, including conducting the annual Point-In-Time Count and utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track service utilization and outcomes. This data is crucial for understanding the scope of homelessness, identifying trends, and making informed decisions.
Public Reporting
By making data available to the public and stakeholders, GKCCEH ensures transparency and fosters community-wide understanding of homelessness issues. This empowers local organizations and policymakers to address homelessness more effectively.
Through these efforts, the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness advances its mission by fostering a collaborative, data-driven, and community-focused approach to preventing poverty and ending homelessness in the region.
Through these efforts, the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness advances its mission by fostering a collaborative, data-driven, and community-focused approach to preventing poverty and ending homelessness in the region.
Meet our team
Meet our team
Meet our team
From managing data systems to supporting front-line nonprofits, we work to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness has access to the housing and services they need.
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Amber Bauer
Senior Director CoC Planning & Engagement
Amber Bauer
Senior Director CoC Planning & Engagement
Amber Bauer
Senior Director CoC Planning & Engagement
Kaylee Coulter
Senior Director of Operations & Compliance
Kaylee Coulter
Senior Director of Operations & Compliance
Kaylee Coulter
Senior Director of Operations & Compliance
Shida McCormick
Director of HMIS & Data Systems
Shida McCormick
Director of HMIS & Data Systems
Shida McCormick
Director of HMIS & Data Systems
Nehemiah Rosell
HMIS Administrator for CES
Nehemiah Rosell
HMIS Administrator for CES
Nehemiah Rosell
HMIS Administrator for CES
Kailey Owings
HMIS Administrator
Kailey Owings
HMIS Administrator
Kailey Owings
HMIS Administrator
Krysten Olson
Homeless Programs Coordinator
Krysten Olson
Homeless Programs Coordinator
Krysten Olson
Homeless Programs Coordinator
Ella Hinson
CES & Advocacy Specialist
Ella Hinson
CES & Advocacy Specialist
Ella Hinson
CES & Advocacy Specialist
Taya Cole
YHDP Manager
Taya Cole
YHDP Manager
Taya Cole
YHDP Manager
Our Board - Executive Committee
Our Board - Executive Committee
Our Board - Executive Committee
Simon Messmer, Board President
Mental Health America of the Heartland
Simon Messmer, Board President
Mental Health America of the Heartland
Simon Messmer, Board President
Mental Health America of the Heartland
Rachel Erpelding, Board Treasurer
Rachel Erpelding, Board Treasurer
Rachel Erpelding, Board Treasurer
Our Board - Directors
Our Board - Directors
Our Board - Directors
Eric Washington
Person with Lived Expertise
Eric Washington
Person with Lived Expertise
Eric Washington
Person with Lived Expertise
Arielle Thompson
Douglass Park Asset Management
Arielle Thompson
Douglass Park Asset Management
Arielle Thompson
Douglass Park Asset Management
Andrew Muller
Academy Bank
Andrew Muller
Academy Bank
Andrew Muller
Academy Bank
History of the CoC in Kansas City/Jackson Co.
History of the CoC in Kansas City/Jackson Co.
History of the CoC in Kansas City/Jackson Co.
1985
1985
1985
How It All Began
In Kansas City the Mid-America Assistance Coalition (MAAC) was founded in 1985 as a result of the merger of the Emergency Assistance Coalition and the Warmth and Light Coalition.
MAAC was founded on the understanding that Kansas City needed a source for collecting solid data from agencies and ensuring that funds for low-income individuals and households were distributed throughout the community effectively and without unnecessary duplication of services.
MAAC administered several grants at the time from federal, state and local governments, as well as other private funders. When it became evident that the CoC funds would occur with regularity, MAAC was selected to manage what was then the CoC project.
How It All Began
In Kansas City the Mid-America Assistance Coalition (MAAC) was founded in 1985 as a result of the merger of the Emergency Assistance Coalition and the Warmth and Light Coalition.
MAAC was founded on the understanding that Kansas City needed a source for collecting solid data from agencies and ensuring that funds for low-income individuals and households were distributed throughout the community effectively and without unnecessary duplication of services.
MAAC administered several grants at the time from federal, state and local governments, as well as other private funders. When it became evident that the CoC funds would occur with regularity, MAAC was selected to manage what was then the CoC project.
How It All Began
In Kansas City the Mid-America Assistance Coalition (MAAC) was founded in 1985 as a result of the merger of the Emergency Assistance Coalition and the Warmth and Light Coalition.
MAAC was founded on the understanding that Kansas City needed a source for collecting solid data from agencies and ensuring that funds for low-income individuals and households were distributed throughout the community effectively and without unnecessary duplication of services.
MAAC administered several grants at the time from federal, state and local governments, as well as other private funders. When it became evident that the CoC funds would occur with regularity, MAAC was selected to manage what was then the CoC project.
1987
1987
1987
Early Years
Thirty four years ago, in 1987, when the first distribution of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds were authorized to help those in need of funds to help them find appropriate permanent living circumstances, the project was only expected to last one-two years! The Continuum of Care (CoC) concept grew out of the Mc Kinney-Vento program designed to support children who were experiencing homelessness.
Early Years
Thirty four years ago, in 1987, when the first distribution of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds were authorized to help those in need of funds to help them find appropriate permanent living circumstances, the project was only expected to last one-two years! The Continuum of Care (CoC) concept grew out of the Mc Kinney-Vento program designed to support children who were experiencing homelessness.
Early Years
Thirty four years ago, in 1987, when the first distribution of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds were authorized to help those in need of funds to help them find appropriate permanent living circumstances, the project was only expected to last one-two years! The Continuum of Care (CoC) concept grew out of the Mc Kinney-Vento program designed to support children who were experiencing homelessness.
1999
1999
1999
Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City
They administered the funds for several years, and in 1999, the Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City was established as a separate organization by MAAC and the first HSCGKC Board was established.
The Board led the effort to the incorporation HSCGKC as a non-profit in Missouri in 2000. Cynthia Larcom was chosen as the first Executive Director of the agency. The City of Kansas City MO Housing Office had approved the MAAC administration of HUD CoC funds in the early years of the project and fully supported the formation of an agency dedicated to serving as the CoC for Jackson County and the metropolitan Kansas City area.
The HSCGKC began its work when funds were renewed annually and oversight of the participating agencies was the sole responsibility of the CoC. As such the HSCGKC developed policies around the ethical, efficient and effective use of the funds.
Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City
They administered the funds for several years, and in 1999, the Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City was established as a separate organization by MAAC and the first HSCGKC Board was established.
The Board led the effort to the incorporation HSCGKC as a non-profit in Missouri in 2000. Cynthia Larcom was chosen as the first Executive Director of the agency. The City of Kansas City MO Housing Office had approved the MAAC administration of HUD CoC funds in the early years of the project and fully supported the formation of an agency dedicated to serving as the CoC for Jackson County and the metropolitan Kansas City area.
The HSCGKC began its work when funds were renewed annually and oversight of the participating agencies was the sole responsibility of the CoC. As such the HSCGKC developed policies around the ethical, efficient and effective use of the funds.
Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City
They administered the funds for several years, and in 1999, the Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City was established as a separate organization by MAAC and the first HSCGKC Board was established.
The Board led the effort to the incorporation HSCGKC as a non-profit in Missouri in 2000. Cynthia Larcom was chosen as the first Executive Director of the agency. The City of Kansas City MO Housing Office had approved the MAAC administration of HUD CoC funds in the early years of the project and fully supported the formation of an agency dedicated to serving as the CoC for Jackson County and the metropolitan Kansas City area.
The HSCGKC began its work when funds were renewed annually and oversight of the participating agencies was the sole responsibility of the CoC. As such the HSCGKC developed policies around the ethical, efficient and effective use of the funds.
1999
1999
1999
Creating Committee Structure
Over time this led to the creation of a committee structure that included 1) ethical procedures for agencies using receiving/administering CoC funds, 2) agency monitoring re: agency safety and security, 3) procedure and policy structures and 4) the committee for determining which agencies would be funded in each CoC cycle.
As HSCGKC grew its responsibilities, it also recognized the need to become an active advocacy voice for the agencies they served, and those agency constituents.
A Social Policy committee was added, as was a Finance Committee (previously the Board Treasurer had assumed the responsibility of monitoring agency spending, grant use, etc. and an outside audit was performed each year in accordance with HUD requirements).
Creating Committee Structure
Over time this led to the creation of a committee structure that included 1) ethical procedures for agencies using receiving/administering CoC funds, 2) agency monitoring re: agency safety and security, 3) procedure and policy structures and 4) the committee for determining which agencies would be funded in each CoC cycle.
As HSCGKC grew its responsibilities, it also recognized the need to become an active advocacy voice for the agencies they served, and those agency constituents.
A Social Policy committee was added, as was a Finance Committee (previously the Board Treasurer had assumed the responsibility of monitoring agency spending, grant use, etc. and an outside audit was performed each year in accordance with HUD requirements).
Creating Committee Structure
Over time this led to the creation of a committee structure that included 1) ethical procedures for agencies using receiving/administering CoC funds, 2) agency monitoring re: agency safety and security, 3) procedure and policy structures and 4) the committee for determining which agencies would be funded in each CoC cycle.
As HSCGKC grew its responsibilities, it also recognized the need to become an active advocacy voice for the agencies they served, and those agency constituents.
A Social Policy committee was added, as was a Finance Committee (previously the Board Treasurer had assumed the responsibility of monitoring agency spending, grant use, etc. and an outside audit was performed each year in accordance with HUD requirements).
2004
2004
2004
Increased Use of HMIS
In 2004 HUD further defined its policies and procedures for serving families and individuals by introducing the HEARTH Act (Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing), which was signed into law by President Obama in 2006.
This led the HSCGKC to increase the use of a defined Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to ensure that all funds were being used to serve those most in need of housing.
Increased Use of HMIS
In 2004 HUD further defined its policies and procedures for serving families and individuals by introducing the HEARTH Act (Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing), which was signed into law by President Obama in 2006.
This led the HSCGKC to increase the use of a defined Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to ensure that all funds were being used to serve those most in need of housing.
Increased Use of HMIS
In 2004 HUD further defined its policies and procedures for serving families and individuals by introducing the HEARTH Act (Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing), which was signed into law by President Obama in 2006.
This led the HSCGKC to increase the use of a defined Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to ensure that all funds were being used to serve those most in need of housing.
2009
2009
2009
Expansion of Compliance
In 2009 Brian O’Malley, MSW was named the second Executive Director of the HSCGKC and expanded the focus on compliance responsibilities to ensure continued compliance with the expanding directives of recommendations being issued by HUD as the funding amounts grew dramatically in those years.
Expansion of Compliance
In 2009 Brian O’Malley, MSW was named the second Executive Director of the HSCGKC and expanded the focus on compliance responsibilities to ensure continued compliance with the expanding directives of recommendations being issued by HUD as the funding amounts grew dramatically in those years.
Expansion of Compliance
In 2009 Brian O’Malley, MSW was named the second Executive Director of the HSCGKC and expanded the focus on compliance responsibilities to ensure continued compliance with the expanding directives of recommendations being issued by HUD as the funding amounts grew dramatically in those years.
2010
2010
2010
Becoming GKCCEH
In 2010 Vickie L. Riddle, ACSW joined the agency as the growth of funding, community leadership on homelessness and increased homelessness was happening in the Kansas City area.
Especially important to the agency during the next three years was HUD’s desire to see CoC’s across the county deliver services to natural communities; for the metro area, this meant a merger between the Jackson County/Kansas City/Lee’s Summit/Independence CoC and the Wyandotte County CoC.
Once again, the leadership of a committed Board and active agency leaders in both Jackson (MO) and Wyandotte (KS) Counties led to the successful merger in 2014. The new CoC chose a new name, more reflective of the new organization-The Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKCCEH).
Becoming GKCCEH
In 2010 Vickie L. Riddle, ACSW joined the agency as the growth of funding, community leadership on homelessness and increased homelessness was happening in the Kansas City area.
Especially important to the agency during the next three years was HUD’s desire to see CoC’s across the county deliver services to natural communities; for the metro area, this meant a merger between the Jackson County/Kansas City/Lee’s Summit/Independence CoC and the Wyandotte County CoC.
Once again, the leadership of a committed Board and active agency leaders in both Jackson (MO) and Wyandotte (KS) Counties led to the successful merger in 2014. The new CoC chose a new name, more reflective of the new organization-The Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKCCEH).
Becoming GKCCEH
In 2010 Vickie L. Riddle, ACSW joined the agency as the growth of funding, community leadership on homelessness and increased homelessness was happening in the Kansas City area.
Especially important to the agency during the next three years was HUD’s desire to see CoC’s across the county deliver services to natural communities; for the metro area, this meant a merger between the Jackson County/Kansas City/Lee’s Summit/Independence CoC and the Wyandotte County CoC.
Once again, the leadership of a committed Board and active agency leaders in both Jackson (MO) and Wyandotte (KS) Counties led to the successful merger in 2014. The new CoC chose a new name, more reflective of the new organization-The Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKCCEH).
2014
2014
2014
Built For Zero
As homelessness grew in our communities, especially after the recession of 2007-2008, HUD and the Dept. of Veteran’s Administration began to establish programs designed to quickly reduce homelessness among veterans and veteran families.
The HSCGKC, with the leadership of its agencies worked with the national 100,000 Homes Campaign and the (functional) Built for Zero for Veterans Homeless Projects. The GKCCEH achieved functional zero in veteran’s homelessness in 2014.
Built For Zero
As homelessness grew in our communities, especially after the recession of 2007-2008, HUD and the Dept. of Veteran’s Administration began to establish programs designed to quickly reduce homelessness among veterans and veteran families.
The HSCGKC, with the leadership of its agencies worked with the national 100,000 Homes Campaign and the (functional) Built for Zero for Veterans Homeless Projects. The GKCCEH achieved functional zero in veteran’s homelessness in 2014.
Built For Zero
As homelessness grew in our communities, especially after the recession of 2007-2008, HUD and the Dept. of Veteran’s Administration began to establish programs designed to quickly reduce homelessness among veterans and veteran families.
The HSCGKC, with the leadership of its agencies worked with the national 100,000 Homes Campaign and the (functional) Built for Zero for Veterans Homeless Projects. The GKCCEH achieved functional zero in veteran’s homelessness in 2014.
Today
Today
Today
Growth & Gratitude
From an anticipated one time grant of $100,000 in 1988 to today’s nearly $21M grant, the inception, implementation and growth in response to communities needs, of the GKCCEH has remained the same; to ensure that homelessness is the exception and not the norm in our metropolitan area.
Growth & Gratitude
From an anticipated one time grant of $100,000 in 1988 to today’s nearly $21M grant, the inception, implementation and growth in response to communities needs, of the GKCCEH has remained the same; to ensure that homelessness is the exception and not the norm in our metropolitan area.
Growth & Gratitude
From an anticipated one time grant of $100,000 in 1988 to today’s nearly $21M grant, the inception, implementation and growth in response to communities needs, of the GKCCEH has remained the same; to ensure that homelessness is the exception and not the norm in our metropolitan area.
Stay Connected
Be the first to know how Kansas City is coming together to end homelessness.
Get updates on local progress, new funding opportunities, training events, and ways you can help—delivered straight to your inbox.
We send 1–2 emails per month. No spam. Just solutions.
Stay Connected
Be the first to know how Kansas City is coming together to end homelessness.
Get updates on local progress, new funding opportunities, training events, and ways you can help—delivered straight to your inbox.
We send 1–2 emails per month. No spam. Just solutions.
Stay Connected
Be the first to know how Kansas City is coming together to end homelessness.
Get updates on local progress, new funding opportunities, training events, and ways you can help—delivered straight to your inbox.
We send 1–2 emails per month. No spam. Just solutions.