PHAs do more than provide affordable housing—they have the power to enhance entire communities. And no one knows this better than Sally Stang, Director of Housing and Community Services for the City of Wichita.  

They have established their very own resource hub, or multi agency center (MAC) as they call it, to address the needs of their community and are seeing great success.  

AMA Consulting Group was able to get some one-on-one time with Sally Stang and give her the space to share the wisdom she has gained through this process.   

What is a Multi-Agency Center (MAC)? 

A Multi-Agency Center (MAC) is a physical space where multiple service providers collaborate to offer comprehensive support for low-income families. Instead of navigating complex systems or traveling to multiple offices, residents can access essential services in one place. These centralized resource hubs offer vital services like job assistance, healthcare, childcare, and legal support in one convenient location. By reducing barriers to essential resources, PHAs can improve the lives of low-income families while strengthening community engagement.  

Speaking to her experience in Wichita, Sally said, “We needed a navigation center where people who needed connection to services could find those services and get the warm hand off to whatever needs they have. Rather than, you know, here we made you an appointment, go down and see this group a week from next Tuesday. You know, it’s no, let’s stick you down the hall and get you connected with what you need.” 

This approach increases efficiency and ensures that families receive the help they need without unnecessary delays. 

Benefits of Multi-Agency Centers for PHAs & Families 

Multi-Agency Centers provide a centralized location where housing residents can connect with essential services such as employment programs, financial counseling, food assistance, and mental health support. By addressing multiple needs simultaneously, MACs help residents achieve greater financial stability and self-sufficiency. These centers also encourage enhanced collaboration among agencies, allowing service providers to streamline processes and coordinate case management, leading to more effective assistance.  

These valuable resource hubs cultivate stronger community engagement, empowering residents to take advantage of available resources. Additionally, PHAs and their partners can optimize funding by sharing office space, staffing, and operational costs, making MACs a cost-effective solution for comprehensive community support. 

Steps for PHAs to Establish a Multi-Agency Center 

• Conduct Community Needs Assessments: “We actually hired a consultant to come in and do a deep dive into the homelessness ecosystem in our community to really determine what are the needs and how we could make the biggest impact.”  Identify priority services by surveying residents, hosting focus groups, and gathering data on unmet needs. 

• Build Strategic Partnerships: “Bringing the right partners to the table and realizing that addressing homelessness in our community is a community effort. And so, we’re talking with federally qualified healthcare centers to have them on site. We want it to be that one stop shop.” Collaborate with local nonprofits, healthcare providers, legal aid organizations, and workforce development programs to ensure a diverse range of services. 

• Implement Outreach & Engagement Strategies: Promote the MAC through social media, community meetings, and targeted marketing efforts to increase awareness and participation. And don’t be afraid to start small. You might not be able to open a full-time independent center, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take smaller steps to make a big impact. Maybe you can have one or two days per week or even a monthly community resource event when you invite partners to come set up at your agency office to be available to your participants.  

Conclusion 

Investing in Multi-Agency Centers enables PHAs to expand their impact beyond housing by creating community hubs that provide essential resources in one convenient location. By simplifying access to critical services, PHAs empower families to build stable, self-sufficient futures while fostering stronger, more resilient communities. Establishing a MAC is more than just an investment—it’s a proven strategy for long-term community success. 

When given the opportunity to tell us what she would say to the whole world if they were listening, Sally Stang did not disappoint, “You know, I think it is really about stretching and growing and that we all need to come together. And if we just take that chance, come together, work together for the common good, we can do anything we want to do, no matter what the goal. And understand that we are more creative, we’re more impactful when we do things together.” 

Listen to the full podcast here! 

About AMA Consulting Group 

At AMA Consulting Group, we don’t just manage programs—we elevate them. Recognized as a 3x Inc. 5000 Awardee for our expertise in government services and our nationally acclaimed work with Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs, we are committed to creating a better way to advance people and performance. Our innovative solutions empower Public Housing Authorities and government agencies to optimize operations, enhance stakeholder satisfaction, and drive measurable success. 

Whether it’s compliance, program administration, or customer service transformation, AMA delivers excellence in every solution and results with every step. 

To learn more, book a call with our team and follow us for the latest insights on housing program management and operational excellence. 

Let’s build stronger communities—together.

Photo Credit: KLC Journal – What Wichita could learn from Oklahoma City’s unified push on homelessness