Second Light Provides Community Update and Construction Timeline

As the community prepares for Second Light to fully open in early 2026, another progress update was made to the community this week. Construction has begun to achieve the vision of providing additional year-round, 24-7 low-barrier shelter beds co-located with services designed to move people from homelessness to housing.

Second Light is a one-stop model to provide shelter and services to those experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness in Wichita. Formerly known as the MAC (Multi-Agency Center), Second Light’s mission is to provide a path toward healing and housing for those in need.

Construction is taking place in phases in both the one-story and two-story buildings throughout the remainder of 2025. During the construction process, the shelter will remain open, as will access to essential services, including physical and mental health, food and housing navigation.

When fully operational in early 2026, Second Light will be a one-stop resource hub, bringing together multiple service providers offering wrap-around support, adding additional services to ensure people have a safe place to stay while accessing the services they need. This initiative
aligns with Wichita’s goal of achieving “functional zero” homelessness which is when the number of people entering homelessness is never more than the community’s ability to house them.

“This construction phase marks a very important next step in the process.” said Steve Dixon, volunteer chairman of the Second Light board. “Second Light’s mission is to help our unhoused neighbors get ready for housing by providing shelter and wrap around services. As construction continues, Second Light is moving towards providing shelter plus services to our neighbors who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at all one location. At completion, this campus will include shelter, food, health, mental health, substance abuse and housing services in order to help guests make long-term life changes.”

The City of Wichita has committed $6 million in ARPA funds to the development and construction of the new center and an additional $5 million toward establishing an operating model and providing ongoing services for the first two years to be combined with private dollars.

“We want to acknowledge and thank the City of Wichita for their dedication to this project. They caught the vision of what the community needed and funded the capital part of this construction process with ARPA dollars. They then committed the initial startup funding and use of the former
Park Elementary building because they recognize how important this project and these services are to the City’s future,” said Dixon.

The City of Wichita is grateful for the collaboration between Second Light Board, partners, providers, and volunteers.”

Mayor Lily Wu, City of Wichita

“They have all worked hard to realize this new model of connecting individuals facing homelessness with necessary resources in one location. While we are still months away from a fully operational campus, this is an exciting step forward. Homelessness is a community issue, and it will take the entire community to work together towards solutions,” said Mayor Lily Wu, City of Wichita.

Development and construction partners on this project are Petra, HFG and McCownGordon who have supported the City of Wichita’s process through development, design and construction. This phase of construction will transform an additional 25,000+ square feet into the service providers area.

As Second Light moves toward a shelter + services model with the long-term goal of achieving functional zero homelessness, this is just part of a much larger community effort towards reaching that goal. Once construction is complete, the shelter + services model will provide guests of Second Light year-round shelter plus wrap-around services such as food, medical, mental health, substance abuse support and much more all at one location. Second Light guests participating in the shelter + services model will be assigned a bed each night as they work toward healing and housing.

Thank you to these providers who have committed to supporting Second Light with their expertise and services.

• HumanKind
• Lord’s Diner
• Breakthrough/EES
• City of Wichita
• City of Wichita Housing Department
• Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita / Sedgwick County
• GraceMed Health Clinic
• Hunter Health
• ICT Street Team
• Mental Health America of South Central Kansas
• Sedgwick County COMCARE
• Sedgwick County Health Department
• Substance Abuse Center of Kansas
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Union Rescue Mission
• United Methodist Open Door
• United Way of the Plains

For more information on Second Light, or how you can donate or volunteer, go to www.secondlightwichita.org.

Media Contact

For questions, reach out to info@secondlightwichita.org

Second Light is a community-driven initiative designed to provide comprehensive services and support for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Second Light speaks to renewal, hope, and the moment when darkness gives way to possibility. It
represents a fresh start for those seeking stability, a guiding path toward healing and housing, and the reassurance that every life has another chance to shine.