New Homelessness Director says he works for folks living on the streets

Joplin has a new Director of Homelessness Response.

He is Eric Arganbright.

He comes to Joplin from Wichita, Kansas.

He says he’s no stranger to dealing with the problem of homelessness.

“I’ve been in homeless work for the better part of a decade,” he states. “Folks … living on streets. That’s who I am working for. My goal is for them to have a permanent place to stay.”

He has served at all levels of homelessness programs, from direct case management to program operations within a Continuum of Care. In his position at Catholic Charities Inc., Diocese of Wichita, he worked closely with other agencies to reduce Veteran homelessness.

Arganbright works out of the Economic Security Corporation in Joplin.

His salary is paid by the City of Joplin.

What has impressed him the most since he arrived in Joplin a few weeks ago?

“The thing that really stood out to me is the care and the love that really exists inside the city of Joplin and the area,” Arganbright replies.

“The question is what can I do to help make homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring?”

He says the effort to help those without homes is very much a collective effort in the Joplin area.

He began work in his new position on July 14th.