PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY

KHAN is led by a steering committee providing informed perspectives, emphasizing lived experience, of housing systems and homelessness in rural, suburban, micropolitan, metropolitan, and urban areas across the state.

KHAN members are welcome to serve on the Policy Priorities Committee and the Legislative Research and Action groups.

Contact Christina Ashie Guidry, christinag@ucsjoco.org for more information.

• 2026 KHAN Policy Priorities
• 2025 KHAN Policy Priorities

KHAN Advocacy Academy Upcoming Dates

• 9/23-9/24 in Topeka
• 10/28-10/29 in Wyandotte County

Join the KHAN Advocacy Academy for an interactive, in-person training designed to strengthen advocacy skills and build capacity across Kansas communities. Through the KHAN Advocacy Academy, participants will:

• Learn the fundamentals of advocacy, including tools, strategies, and practical application
• Craft compelling advocacy messages using data and storytelling
• Set clear advocacy goals and develop an actionable advocacy plan

Partners who participate in this training will be invited to engage in KHAN’s advocacy work during the 2027 Kansas legislative session, as well as apply these skills to advance housing and community priorities in their own regions.

Registration Coming Soon.

For questions or additional information, please contact: Rachel Russell, rachelr@ucsjoco.org

2026 Capitol Hill Day Recap

Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke up, and made the 2026 Capitol Hill Day such a strong showing for housing across Kansas.

Nearly 60 housing advocates from communities across the state gathered at the Capitol, representing every Continuum of Care and multiple regions of the Balance of State. It was a true statewide effort and a clear reflection of our shared commitment to strengthening housing stability for Kansans.

Advocates connected with Kansas legislators through scheduled meetings and office visits, sharing local experiences and practical policy solutions. Conversations took place across party lines, reinforcing what we know to be true, housing is not a partisan issue. It is a community issue.

We were honored to begin the day with remarks from Senator Dinah Sykes and Representatives Howell and Howerton, who helped set the tone for collaborative, bipartisan engagement.

This year also marked an important milestone. For the first time, the Kansas Housing Advocacy Network played a direct role in helping introduce housing legislation. The energy in the Capitol reflected growing interest among lawmakers and an increasing willingness to sponsor and champion housing-focused bills.

Momentum is building. Relationships are strengthening. And the conversation around real, workable housing solutions in Kansas continues to move forward.

KHAN produces handouts and trainings to support providing education and advocacy to increase housing supply and housing stability and end homelessness.

• Kansas Homes, Kansas Values: 2026 Legislative Proposals by Sen. Shane, Rep. Howell, Rep. Howerton
• Putting Kansans First in Housing: 2026 Legislative Proposals by Sen. Sykes, Rep. Xu
• What you should know about housing and homelessness in Kansas
• Housing Kansas: Policy Solutions for Sustainable Growth
• Housing Kansas: Policy Solutions to Keep Kansans Housed
• Ending Homelessness: Policy Solutions
• Understanding Section 8 and Housing Choice Vouchers

Kansas legislators are only at the Capitol for a few months a year (Jan-April); most of the time, they are at home, in your community. Use the time outside of legislative session to build relationships with decision makers.

Lunch & Learn Tours connect decision makers to your work in a literal way: bringing them into your workflow and buildings. Use that time to engage them with clear data, successes and stories, as well as current challenges and evidence-based solutions to increase housing security and end homelessness.

So far, KHAN has hosted these events with Salvation Army Lodge in Olathe, Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Building Health in Pittsburg, McPherson Housing Coalition, Emmaus House and Southwestern KS Catholic Charities in Garden & Dodge City, Leavenworth Attainable Housing and Leavenworth Community of Hope, as well as a bus tour of the housing support ecosystem in Wyandotte County highlighting many local partners.

This toolkit provides tips for planning a Lunch & Learn Tour along with templates for planning and execution of the event that your organization can use or adapt to host your own event. Check it out here: Lunch & Learn Toolkit

KHAN recorded trainings on advocacy vs. lobbying, connecting with decisionmakers, and storytelling can be accessed here under KHAN Trainings.

Upcoming meetings include:

• Legislative Wrap-Up and Building Momentum, 5/11 at 1 p.m. via zoom
• Summer Projects, Outreach, and Eviction Expungement How-To, 6/29 at 1 p.m. via zoom
• Updates and Action Steps, 8/17 at 1 p.m. via zoom

Reach out to Micaela Lewis, micaelal@ucsjoco.org, to register.

• The Kansas Republican Party Events
• The Kansas Democratic Party Events