Event celebrates National Homeownership month, 20th anniversary
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) announced top entries in its statewide youth art contest this week. The initiative, held to commemorate National Homeownership Month and KHRC’s 20th anniversary, invited K-12 Kansas students to share their vision of what home means to them. Honorees and their families were recognized at a special reception at the Kansas State Capitol, and their artwork will remain on display in the rotunda through July 7.
Honorees include:
- Sarah S., Kindergarten, Topeka
- Harlee B., 1st grade, Salina
- Holden N., 1st grade, Wells
- Ari C., 2nd grade, Salina
- Shania S., 4th grade, Goodland
- Isabella B., 5th grade, Derby
- Indrayani P., 5th grade, Newton
- Olivia G., 5th grade, Hesston
- Edith L., 6th grade, Larned
- Zaylah W., 7th grade, Hesston
- Hailey N., 8th grade, Hesston
- Breckyn W., 7th grade, Hesston
- Juliunna Shinn, 11th grade, Osage City
- Naomi S., 12th grade, Maize
A virtual gallery of contest entries is available on KHRC’s 20th anniversary webpage.
Observed each June and officially proclaimed in Kansas by Governor Kelly, National Homeownership Month promotes the benefits of homeownership for families, communities, and local economies. KHRC was established in 2003 and serves as the state’s housing finance agency, administering the state’s First Time Homebuyer and Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas programs, which expand homeownership opportunities for Kansans.
First Time Homebuyer program
Cynthia Howerton, manager of KHRC’s First Time Homebuyer program, explained how eligible participants can benefit from the program’s down payment and closing cost assistance for their first home purchase. Homebuyers partner with participating lenders to navigate the process. The program allows homebuyers to apply for a 0 percent interest loan for 15 or 20 percent of the home’s purchase price. The loan is forgiven if the buyer remains in the home for ten years.
Program guidelines were recently expanded to keep the dream of homeownership alive in Kansas. The program operates in communities across the state, with the exception of Topeka, Lawrence, Wichita, Kansas City, and Johnson County.
Misty Brown of Derby became a first-time homebuyer with help from the program’s down payment and closing cost assistance earlier this year. Read more about how putting down roots as a homeowner changed everything for her family.
Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas
The Home Loan Guarantee (HLG) for Rural Kansas helps existing and prospective homeowners in rural counties finance home loans for land and building purchases, renovations, or new construction costs. Program manager Marilyn Stanley explained how the initiative aims to close the appraisal gap in rural areas, where the cost of purchasing, renovating, or constructing a home often exceeds the property’s appraised value.
Rural counties are defined as those with populations of 10,000 or less. The HLG program has $2 million available for non-recourse guaranties through the Kansas Rural Home Loan Guarantee Act.
Questions about the First Time Homebuyer Program or Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas? Contact Marilyn Stanley at mstanley@kshousingcorp.org.
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Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is a self-supporting, nonprofit, public corporation committed to helping Kansans access the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve. KHRC serves as the state’s housing finance agency (HFA), administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans.
