FAQ

Homeless

September 16, 2024
The 2023 Point-In-Time Homeless Count, conducted the third week in January as mandated by HUD requirements, identifies that about 412 people are experiencing homelessness in Topeka. This number has grown almost 3% since 2020. 38% of the individuals identified as experiencing homelessness are unsheltered, meaning they are not living in an emergency shelter or in transitional housing. For more information please review the 2023 Point-In-Time Homeless Count.

Help

  • Donate to services providers. Service providers do not recommend that people donate items directly to those who are experiencing homelessness.
  • Volunteer with local organizations assisting people experiencing homelessness.
  • Educate yourself on the issues presented to people experiencing homelessness, and the best practices associated with reducing the number of people in our community experiencing homelessness!

Report

  • If there are signs of encampments in an area that is not believed to be located on City property where camping is permitted, please call the Topeka Police Department at their non-emergency number. This is the Topeka Police Department non-emergency phone number. This connects to an automated system that helps triage and direct calls to the most appropriate staff for the issue. This often involves leaving a voicemail message as requested. This helps to ease an overloaded dispatch system to allow attention to be given to true emergencies.
  • If you witness a crime perpetuated by a person experiencing homelessness, or where a person experiencing homelessness is a victim of a crime, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Please call the Topeka Police Department at their non-emergency number, or 9-1-1 for emergencies.  Additionally, you can contact the Behavioral Health Unit.

The TPD Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) program is a community effort which involves health care providers, consumers, and their family members working together to provide the best possible outcomes during a mental health crisis. A Crisis Intervention Team officer is a member of a specialized team and has up-to-date mental health training. Learn more information about the Unit at https://www.topeka.org/tpd/cit/.
Generally, trespassing is entering or remaining on land, structures, and vehicles by someone who knows they do not have permission AND they do not leave when asked by the property owner or other authorized person. Posting “No Trespassing” signs, locking, fencing, or otherwise securing the premises to prevent passage can help deter unauthorized entry onto your property.
Businesses: Be proactive. Posting “No Trespassing” signs, securing your trash/discarded items, and installing additional lighting are examples of actions that may be taken to reduce trespassing around your business.

Residences/other private property: Posting “No Trespassing” signs, securing your trash/discarded items, and installing additional lighting are examples of actions that may be taken to reduce trespassing on your property. Additionally, installing fencing around your property, ensuring buildings and other structures are locked or otherwise secured are good ways to help prevent trespassing.
If possible, politely ask them to leave. If they don’t leave, or refuse to comply with your request, call the Police Department at at their non emergency number. If someone is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.
It is important to treat everyone with respect and kindness. However, if a person on your property becomes belligerent, you may call the Police Department at their non-emergency number, or 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.
Private businesses are required to provide restroom facilities to employees. If your business offers restrooms to the public, however, those facilities must be available to the patrons, guests, or invitees of your business free of charge.
It is a violation of Topeka Municipal Code 9.45.60 to use property for living accommodations (camp) in these areas:
  • Public infrastructure (bus shelters, bridges, overpasses, and flood control works)
  • Within 10 feet of any doorway, loading dock, stairway or fire escape
  • Within an area bounded by Topeka Boulevard from SW 10th Avenue to NW Crane Street; Madison Street from SE 10th Avenue to NW Crane Street; Crane Street from Topeka Boulevard to NE Madison Street; and 10th Avenue from Topeka Boulevard to SE Madison Street
  • Within an area bounded by Topeka Boulevard from NW Curtis Street from NE Quincy Street; NE Quincy Street from NE Curtis Street to NE Morse Street; NE Morse Street from NE Quincy Street to NW Topeka Boulevard; and Quincy Street to NW Topeka Boulevard
However, per Martin v. City of Boise, it is considered cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment for a City to prosecute homeless individuals for sleeping on public property when there is no option for them to sleep inside… i.e. no available shelter beds. Martin v. City of Boise, 920 F.3d 584 (9th Cir. 2019). However, the City is not prevented from disallowing “anyone who wishes to sit, lie or sleep on the streets ... at any time and at any place.” Id. at 24.

If an individual is camping in violation of TMC 9.45.360(a)(d), the City will provide notice that personal property not removed from the above mentioned areas within 24 hours will be removed, and may be impounded. Violations of these ordinances constitutes a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 30 days.
EAS (Equity. Access. Shelter.) and partners can help assist you in gaining rent or mortgage assistance.

The City of Topeka’s Division of Housing Services can also connect you to an Affordable Housing Directory.
Private property, including parking lots, as well as public infrastructure such as bus shelters, bridges, over-passes and public parks are not appropriate places to seek shelter, and may violate city camping ordinances. Instead, seek emergency shelter at any of these locations:
  • Topeka Rescue Mission Shelters
    • Men’s Shelter—600 N Kansas Ave.
    • Hope Center (for women, children, and families)—116 NW Curtis St.
  • YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, for those experiencing domestic violence
If you are a homeless person who is disabled, or has severe and persistent mental illness, chronic problems with alcohol and/or drugs, or is diagnosed with AIDS/HIV, the City’s Shelter Plus Care Program may be able to help. Shelter Plus Care is a program designed to provide rental assistance to homeless persons with certain disabilities. Contact EAS (Equity. Access. Shelter.) for an assessment. Learn more at https://www.topeka.org/housing-services/shelter-plus-care/.

If you have children enrolled in a school in Shawnee County and are homeless contact Impact Avenues. Impact Avenues works with partner agencies to provide wrap around services and help families get housed.  Learn more at https://www.topeka.org/impact-avenues/.

Visit the Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-3:00 to access showers, laundry, food, health care and other services. Monthly location schedule
In the interest of public safety and reducing incidents of distracted driving, it is unlawful for any person on a roadway or in the intersections listed below to approach a stopped vehicle or attempt to stop a vehicle to facilitate the transfer of items from the pedestrian to the driver or vice versa. Violations of this provision constitute a misdemeanor. Punishment includes a fine not to exceed $499.00 and/or imprisonment for up to 30 days. TMC 10.80.040
  • S 5th Street and SW Topeka Boulevard
  • SW 12th Street and SW Jackson Street
  • SW 6th Avenue and Orchard Street
  • SW 8th Avenue and SW Topeka Boulevard
  • SW 10th Avenue and SW Topeka Boulevard
  • SW Huntoon Street and SW Gage Boulevard
  • SW 21st Street and SW Fairlawn Road
  • SW 6th Avenue and SW Topeka Boulevard
  • SW 10th Avenue and SW Lane Street
  • SE 21st Street and SE Adams Street
  • SW 29th Street and SW Fairlawn Road
  • SW 21st Street and SW Gage Boulevard
  • SW 6th Avenue and SW Gage Boulevard
  • SW 21st Street and SW Wanamaker Road
  • SW 17th Street and SW Wanamaker Road
  • SW Huntoon Street and SW Fairlawn Road
  • SE 15th Street and SE Adams Street
  • SW 29th Street and SW Gage Boulevard
  • SW 29th Street and SW Topeka Boulevard
  • SW 21st Street and SW Washburn Avenue
  • SW 29th Street and SW Wanamaker Road
  • SW 21st Street and SW Topeka Boulevard
  • SW 17th Street and SW Westover Road and SW Oakley Street
Open burning is not allowed on any public grounds pursuant to TMC 8.45.010.
  • It shall be unlawful for any person to start a fire to any pile of papers, shavings, weeds, brush, leaves, grass or other combustible material on any of the streets, alleys, gutters, parkways, boulevards or upon any other public grounds in the City; provided, that a fire may be built in any stove or fireplace furnished by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and any such fire so started shall be extinguished and made safe before the persons starting or maintaining such fire shall leave the place where the fire is started. Burning is not allowed in barrels, incinerators or drums pursuant to TMC 8.45.030.
  • It shall be unlawful for any person to start a fire or allow any person to start a fire in any trash burner, incinerator, metal barrel or drum, except as provided in TMC 8.45.060; provided, however, that gas or electric fired incinerators which have been approved by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. Burning garbage is illegal pursuant to TMC 8.45.040.
  • Under no circumstances shall garbage be burned in any trash burner other than approved gas or electric fired incinerators as set forth in TMC 8.45.030. If someone observes what appears to be illegal open burning or any type of hazard related to open burning, call 9-1-1 so that appropriate resources can be dispatched. If a person is cited with a violation of these city ordinances they will receive a municipal summons (ticket). These violations require a court date and an appearance in front of the municipal court judge who will determine the fine and court costs. Each count can carry a fine of up to $499.00 and up to one year in jail.

Language Access

Language access refers to providing Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons with meaningful access to the same services as English-speaking individuals.
Someone who does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English can be considered a Limited English Proficient, or LEP person. An LEP person does not always refer to a foreign-born individual.
A Language Access plan defines the steps and efforts an agency will take to effectively communicate with and provide LEP persons with meaningful access to information and services.
  • For two main reasons: Title VI (6) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166.
    • Title VI (6) of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
    • Executive Order 13166 states that people who are LEP should have meaningful access to federally conducted and federally funded programs and activities.
Programs receiving federal financial assistance must comply with Title VI (6). Federal financial assistance includes grants, training, use of equipment, donations of surplus property, and other assistance. Subrecipients are also covered, when federal funds are passed from one recipient to a subrecipient. Recipients of federal funds range from state and local agencies, to nonprofits and other organizations.
  • Per ACS 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates, the languages spoken at home other than English in Shawnee County are as follows:
    • Spanish: 9,621 or 5.7%
    • Asian and Pacific Island languages: 1,397 or 0.8%
    • Other Indo-European languages: 1,067 or 0.6%
    • Other languages: 280 or 0.2%
The City of Topeka offers language services such as interpretation and professionally translated documents at no cost.
Language access services are completely free.
Over-the-phone and virtual interpretation as well as professionally translated documents are available at City offices.
Interpretation is taking spoken messages from one language to another, while translation is converting written text from one language to another.
Language Line Solution's 20,000+ expert interpreters are intensely vetted, trained, and monitored to ensure linguistic quality and excellence. Language Line's Phone Interpretation Calls are confidential, secure, and HIPPA-compliant.
The Language Access Coordinator serves as the language access liaison to the LEP community and advises city agencies on best practices to communicate effectively with LEP persons, and support and advise the City of Topeka Government on Title VI regulations.
Contact the City of Topeka's Language Access Coordinator.
By sharing feedback, concerns, and complaints with the City, we can become better equipped at providing the community with meaningful access.
The City of Topeka conducts an four factor assessment to ensure meaningful access to City programs and activities by LEP persons.
Language Line Solutions