Wichita's Second Light Shelter Reduces Beds, Seeks New Funding

The shelter is pivoting its strategy as it faces the end of federal pandemic relief funds.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:04am

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Wichita's Second Light homeless shelter is reducing its number of beds from 170 to 130 as it enters its second year of operation. The shelter's executive director, Dan Clifford, says they are learning what is sustainable for the shelter, which now provides wraparound services. The news comes after Wichita voters rejected a 1% sales tax proposal that would have funded the shelter and other initiatives. Second Light is now seeking new funding sources as its American Rescue Plan Act funds are set to run out in the fall.

Why it matters

The reduction in beds at Second Light highlights the ongoing challenges faced by homeless shelters in maintaining operations and services. As federal pandemic relief funds expire, the shelter must find new sustainable funding sources to continue supporting Wichita's homeless population. The failed sales tax proposal suggests the community's willingness to fund such initiatives is uncertain, putting pressure on the shelter to secure alternative revenue streams.

The details

Second Light has been operating with 170 beds, but is now reducing that number to 130. The shelter has been supported by American Rescue Plan Act funds since opening, but those funds will run out in the fall. The shelter estimates it needs about $4 million per year to operate. Earlier this year, the shelter began offering more services on-site, including help with identification, substance use treatment, mental health care, and housing support. Of the 130 remaining beds, 100 are set aside for the shelter's Shelter+Services program to transition people into housing.

  • Second Light opened in 2025.
  • The shelter is reducing its beds from 170 to 130 in March 2026.
  • Second Light's American Rescue Plan Act funds are set to run out in the fall of 2026.

The players

Dan Clifford

The executive director of Second Light homeless shelter in Wichita.

Kent Miracle

A board member of the Second Light shelter.

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What they’re saying

“We always knew there was going to have to be a pivot and a new strategy for long-term sustainable funding. We had one opportunity with the sales tax... pretty clear feedback from the community about kind of the overall sales tax.”

— Dan Clifford, Executive Director, Second Light

“Two years ago, when I started attending those homelessness task force meetings, I'm like, 'oh my god, we're at zero. How on earth are we ever going to do this?' And we have, and it's amazing. It's... spectacular. We're pulling something off that I never thought I'd see in my life, ever. I couldn't even conceive it a year ago.”

— Kent Miracle, Board Member, Second Light

What’s next

Second Light plans to hire its first development director this year to seek out additional funding sources as its federal pandemic relief funds expire.

The takeaway

The reduction in beds at Second Light underscores the ongoing financial challenges facing homeless shelters as they transition away from temporary pandemic relief funds. The shelter must now find new sustainable funding sources to maintain its operations and services for Wichita's homeless population.