Housing Is the Foundation: The State of Housing & Homelessness in Kansas City
In this presentation, Stephanie Boyer, CEO of reStart, shares an overview of the current housing and homelessness landscape in the Kansas City region. We will explore the key drivers of housing instability, the impact on individuals and the broader community, and how reStart’s evidence-based housing solutions—including Rapid Re-Housing, Transitional Housing and Family Lodge—are helping people move from homelessness to long-term stability. The presentation highlights why housing is foundational to health, economic growth, and community well-being.
About Stephanie
Stephanie Boyer is a dedicated social work professional with over 25 years of experience advocating for increased access to behavioral health care and housing for underserved and vulnerable populations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has been a driving force in developing innovative programs that provide essential support to individuals and families in crisis.
As the Chief Executive Officer of reStart, Inc., Stephanie leads one of Kansas City’s most comprehensive nonprofit agencies serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. reStart provides a continuum of housing services and wraparound support to help individuals exit homelessness and secure permanent housing. Under her leadership, reStart continues to expand its impact through strategic partnerships and evidence-based solutions to address homelessness in the region.
Stephanie graduated from the Greater Kansas City Chambers Centurion Leadership Program in January 2023.
Before joining reStart, Stephanie served as the Director of ReDiscover’s Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center (KC-ATC), where she played a pivotal role in launching and overseeing the center’s operations. In collaboration with key community stakeholders, she helped establish KC-ATC as a diversion program for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, reducing reliance on emergency services and the criminal justice system by connecting individuals to immediate behavioral health care and housing resources.
Stephanie also spent a decade at the Kansas City Municipal Court as the Deputy Court Administrator, where she enhanced the city’s specialty treatment courts, including drug court, veterans’ court, mental health court, and domestic violence court. She played a critical role in expanding access to treatment and diversion programs, ensuring individuals received the appropriate support within the justice system.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has remained committed to creating pathways to stability for those in need. Her expertise in program development, crisis intervention, and community collaboration continues to drive meaningful change in Kansas City’s housing and behavioral health landscape.
Website: www.restartinc.org
reStart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restartkcmo/
reStart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restartinckc/
reStart Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reStartKC
reStart YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@restartinc.1660