Stephen Center is in its 41st year serving people experiencing homelessness in Omaha with a high-barrier emergency shelter, a residential addiction recovery program, and permanent supportive low-income housing with case management. CEO Chris Knauf explains why “shelter is not a bandage,” unpacks a recently defeated proposal to criminalize encampments, and shares how coordinated street outreach, collaboration with low-barrier partners, and new family shelter capacity are moving more people into stable housing. Listen for What a high-barrier shelter is and why Stephen Center keeps campus safe and sober How case management and outreach drive an 82 percent positive exit rate from shelter The difference between affordable and low-income housing and why the latter is critical Why criminalizing encampments fails and how Omaha pivoted to a 6-month pilot focused on services The role of low-barrier partner Siena Francis House in the local ecosystem Stephen Center’s plan to double men’s and women’s beds and add 19 non-congregate family rooms A candid look at SNAP cuts , rising turn-aways (4,128 to date), and the need for system-level investment About Charity Charge Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping , gift card disbursements , and state compliance , we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com . --------------------------- About Charity Charge Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping , gift card disbursements , and state compliance , we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com .
