105 Inside: Built for Zero Kansas
Kansas Built for Zero
What is Functional Zero?
Functional Zero means a community has built a system that can quickly identify and support indivdiuals and families experiencing homelessness — making homelessness rare and short-term. It’s achieved when the number of people without housing is fewer than the number the community can help move into permanent housing each month.
Kansas CoCs United for Change
The Kansas Built for Zero Initiative brings together the Kansas Balance of State CoC, Wichita/Sedgwick CoC, Topeka/Shawnee CoC, and Johnson County CoC in a unified effort to end homelessness across the state. By aligning strategies, sharing data, and leveraging resources, this collaboration ensures communities throughout Kansas — from rural regions to metropolitan areas — are equipped to achieve Functional Zero. Through this coordinated approach, service providers, outreach teams, and housing partners are working together to create sustainable solutions that reduce homelessness statewide.
Built for Zero Framework
Real-Time Data Utilization
Our approach uses real-time data to track homelessness trends, enabling communities to respond swiftly and effectively to changing needs.
Targeted Interventions
We implement targeted interventions that focus on the specific needs of individuals, ensuring resources are allocated where they are most impactful.
Collaborative Efforts
Through statewide collaboration, we strengthen partnerships across Kansas CoCs, maximizing resources and enhancing our collective impact.
KS BoS CoC Dashboard Overview
The Kansas Balance of State CoC has launched a By-Name List (BNL) Dashboard that leverages Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) enrollments to provide real-time insights into homelessness across the KS BoS CoC. By utilizing HMIS data, the BNL Dashboard ensures accurate, up-to-date information that empowers communities to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and measure progress toward ending homelessness.
This powerful tool tracks three Key Data Points:
Key strategies for achieving functional zero
Ensure Accurate By-Name List
An accurate BNL provides real-time data on individuals experiencing homelessness, helping communities track progress, reduce duplication, and improve data practices to ensure no one is overlooked. Developing clear protocols for data entry and data quality monitoring is important.
Enhance Street Outreach
Coordinated outreach strategies ensure all individuals experiencing homelessness are identified and engaged. Mapping outreach coverage and building partnerships with local organizations and community groups are key to reaching hard-to-find populations.
Expand Housing Inventory
A well-managed housing inventory is essential for increasing permanent housing placements. Communities can improve Outflow by tracking available units, partnering with landlords, and working with developers and housing authorities to expand affordable and supportive housing options.