
Patrick Ramsey
Director of Coalition Build
Patrick brings a deep personal understanding to the Wichita Area Housing Coalition (WAHC), shaped by his own experience with housing loss. Having navigated the complex systems, resources, and barriers individuals face when experiencing housing insecurity in Wichita, he possesses invaluable firsthand insight.
Upon regaining stable housing, Patrick remained committed to supporting others still seeking stability. He maintained connections within the community he encountered during his period of housing insecurity and dedicated his efforts to grassroots outreach, connecting individuals with essential resources and providing direct support.
His work consistently places him where assistance is most needed. During periods of extreme summer heat in Wichita, he actively participated in water distribution and other outreach initiatives for individuals experiencing homelessness. These relationships are foundational to his approach; Patrick engages with housing insecurity not merely as an external advocate, but as someone intimately familiar with the challenges of housing loss. As a result, he has earned significant trust and recognition within Wichita's unhoused community.
Patrick played an instrumental role in initiating the coalition effort that ultimately became WAHC. He collaborated with Helen Reicher, leading to the formation of the Wichita Area Housing Coalition and broadening its scope from reactive responses to housing loss to proactive engagement with housing insecurity across the community.
His background also encompasses significant civic engagement. Through his involvement with Loud Light, Patrick developed expertise in community organizing and effective engagement with elected officials and government entities. This experience is crucial to his role at WAHC, where coalition building necessitates connecting diverse stakeholders who might not otherwise interact.
As Director of Coalition Building, Patrick serves as WAHC's primary on-the-ground liaison in Wichita. He cultivates relationships with individuals experiencing housing insecurity, advocates, volunteers, service providers, community organizations, and local leaders. He coordinates outreach and in-person activities, while also integrating community insights directly into WAHC's strategic work.
Ultimately, Patrick's role centers on fostering critical relationships. His lived experience gives him a deep understanding of housing loss that training or reports alone can't capture, and his extensive community work helps him connect that experience with the individuals and organizations best positioned to drive meaningful change.