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April 15, 2021

State officials are seeking feedback from Kansans to help guide future housing development efforts. The initiative, part of the state’s first comprehensive housing needs assessment in nearly 30 years, aims to review current housing opportunities, identify strategic goals, and develop recommendations to guide future housing development.

“We’ve long known that the state’s shortage of comprehensive housing data limits our ability to provide affordable homes for Kansans,” said Ryan Vincent, Executive Director of Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. “The feedback gathered through this study will be a crucial first step in identifying current needs and resources so we can ensure that every Kansas community has the housing needed to grow and thrive.”

The study’s current discovery phase includes a series of public listening sessions and a statewide survey to gauge community and stakeholder input. Consultants will use feedback gathered throughout the discovery process to assess opportunities and set strategic housing goals. The project’s final phase involves developing a statewide housing plan and recommendations, with delivery anticipated by December 2021.

Community members are encouraged to share their input three ways:

Complete the Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment online survey, available in English and Spanish.
Participate in their region’s public listening session. Sessions will be held in person and virtually.
- April 21: South Central – Newton
- April 27: Johnson and Wyandotte Counties
- April 28: Southeast – Iola
- April 29: North Central – Salina
- May 4: Southwest – Dodge City
- May 13: Sedgwick County
- May 18: Northeast – Manhattan
- May 19: Shawnee and Douglas Counties
- May 27: Northwest – Colby
Visit the Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment webpage to learn more and spread the word.

Governor Laura Kelly, noting the state’s shortage of quality, affordable housing and need for comprehensive data, announced the study’s launch in December. The state’s Office of Rural Prosperity and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the state’s housing finance agency, manage the project. RDG Planning & Design, a consulting group with extensive housing experience in Kansas, was chosen to lead the study through a competitive RFP process.

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Governor Laura Kelly and former Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers created the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), a nonpartisan initiative established in part to ensure that rural Kansas is heard and represented in the statehouse. The ORP aims to streamline rural policy while focusing on the issues that matter to rural Kansans. During the ORP’s 2019 and 2020 statewide listening and action tours, housing was brought up by leaders in every region of the state as a vital component of recruiting and retaining workers, families, and entrepreneurs to help rural Kansas thrive.

April 12, 2021

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) last week announced nearly $700 million in nationwide funding to support affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households.

Kansas expects to receive $4,207.374, of which $3,786,636 will be available for rental housing development through the Housing Trust Fund (HTF), a federal initiative designed to provide affordable rental housing to low-income households. This represents an increase of just under $1 million in available HTF funds compared to previous years.

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) allocates HTF money through the annual competitive rental development application process, which also includes Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and HOME funds. Applications for the current round closed in late January, with those proposals currently being evaluated by KHRC staff.

KHRC often does not know the exact amount of funding that will be available prior to the closing of applications. Because the HTF pool is based on annual activity by Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, it is unknown whether future allocations will also increase, or will be at the $3 million minimum.

This year’s increase will allow greater flexibility in how available resources can be directed to successful rental development proposals. Remaining HTF funds, if any, will be held for future needs subject to the statutory commitment deadlines.

To learn more about the HTF program, visit our website or contact Housing Development Manager Barry McMurphy.

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March 17, 2021

Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) this week announced the launch of the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program to provide rent, utility, and internet assistance to individuals and families financially impacted by COVID-19.

“Keeping Kansans in their homes and businesses – and ensuring they have access to the high-speed internet needed for telehealth, telework, and virtual school – has been a top priority for my administration since day one,” Governor Kelly said. “This program will be critical in ensuring Kansans can stay secure in their homes, stay warm, and maintain access to the internet.”

The program offers tenants up to 12 months of assistance with current or past due household rent and past due residential utility and internet bills. Utilities covered may include electric, gas, water, sewer, trash removal, and home energy costs. Renters can apply for assistance with all, some, or any one of the services offered.

Both tenant and landlord must apply online. If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, KHRC will make payments on the tenant’s behalf directly to the landlord or service provider(s).

Last year KHRC administered the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP), a nearly $20 million rental assistance initiative to support Kansans financially impacted by COVID. In the roughly 60 days that the program was in statewide operation, it received applications from more than 10,000 tenants and more than 4000 landlords, ultimately serving 21,642 Kansans.

“Home has always been a place of shelter, but during the pandemic it’s become so much more,” said Ryan Vincent, KHRC’s Executive Director. “The outpouring of interest we saw in the KEPP program demonstrated the tremendous need COVID has created across our state. We’re so pleased to offer not just rent, but also utility and internet assistance so we can keep Kansans safely housed and connected when they need it most.”

The KERA program will initially serve Kansans across the state, except those living within the Wichita city limits. Wichita residents may apply for assistance through the Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERAP).

To learn more and apply for KERA assistance, visit the KHRC website.

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March 3, 2021

Kansas communities will receive a funding boost to provide emergency housing services for citizens in need. The funds, made available through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, will be awarded to local communities and nonprofit organizations to support Kansans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Aerial view of campground and tents. — Lawrence’s Woody Campground.

City of Lawrence officials used ESG funding to establish an emergency shelter campground and a temporary shelter at a local hotel. “This crucial funding has made our Woody Campground outreach program and our EconoLodge temporary shelter programs possible,” said City of Lawrence Assistant City Manager Brandon McGuire. “Without these supplemental ESG funds our community’s most vulnerable population would spend the winter unhoused and unconnected to the support they need. Because of this funding they are now sheltered and working with case managers to graduate them to the Rapid Re-Housing program, all while being safe in the pandemic atmosphere. We are very grateful to KHRC for the ability to utilize this funding for our community.”

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the ESG program supports local service partners that work to prevent homelessness and assist people experiencing homelessness. Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) serves as the state’s ESG program administrator. Grant awards help fund emergency shelters, rapid rehousing services, street outreach, homelessness prevention strategies, and more.

In addition to the 2020 ESG allocation of $1.5 million, the 2020 federal CARES Act provided $4.5 million in supplemental ESG funding to respond to housing needs created or exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Supplemental funding supports local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and community mental health centers across the state, providing housing and community services including emergency shelter operations and administration, domestic violence shelters, behavioral health services, and rental and utility assistance for Kansans at risk of eviction.

Service partners applied for funding through a competitive application process. Complete award details for both the 2020 ESG allocation and 2020 ESG supplemental CARES Act funding are available online.

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February 16, 2021

Kansans struggling to cover rent and utility payments due to COVID may qualify for up to 12 months of emergency assistance thanks to new federal relief aid. The initiative, funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, provides the state of Kansas with $200 million to support housing stability and prevent evictions and homelessness. Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) and the City of Wichita will administer the funds.

“Home has never been more important,” said Ryan Vincent, KHRC Executive Director. “Home has always been a place of shelter, but in the midst of the pandemic it’s also become our virtual workplace, classroom, and gathering space. Rental assistance protects Kansans’ access to home when they need it most.”

”In unprecedented times of hardship, it’s imperative that we step up to provide security to those in need,” said Sally Stang, Director of Housing and Community Services for the City of Wichita. “Everyone needs a little help now and then, and we want to ensure that families and individuals who need help to stay in their homes receive it.”

Tenants may qualify for assistance if they earn no more than 80 percent of their area’s median income, are experiencing documented financial hardship as a result of the COVID pandemic, and may be at risk of housing instability or homelessness without assistance.

Wichita residents may apply for assistance through the Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERAP) administered by the city’s Housing and Community Services division. The city’s online application will open on Monday, Feb. 22.

Kansans living outside the Wichita city limits may apply for assistance through the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program administered by KHRC. The online KERA application will open on Monday, March 15.

The KERA and WERAP programs come on the heels of the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP), a $20 million assistance initiative administered by KHRC with federal CARES Act funding. In the roughly 60 days that the program was in statewide operation, KHRC received 10,138 applications for more than $25 million requested in assistance, representing 27,200 Kansans financially impacted by COVID.

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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. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ERA0032 awarded to Kansas Housing Resources Corporation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

January 24, 2021

Customers of Kansas Gas Service, a division of ONE Gas Inc., may qualify for up to $5000 in weatherization-related home repair assistance thanks to a new partnership between the energy company and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the state’s housing finance agency. The funding, made possible through an $80,000 grant from the ONE Gas Foundation, will finance essential home repairs and upgrades to enable weatherization services.

KHRC serves as administrator of the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, a federal initiative to provide free weatherization services to income-eligible households. Weatherization services include upgrades and improvements to help homes operate more efficiently, such as sealing air leaks, installing insulation, and repairing or replacing heating and cooling systems. Weatherized homes are safer, more comfortable, more energy efficient, and less expensive to maintain, resulting in cost savings and health and wellness benefits for residents.

“Our partnership with Kansas Gas Service will provide crucial gap funding for the weatherization program,” said Scott Kuhn, KHRC’s Senior Weatherization Program Manager. “Often homes need simple repairs before weatherization services can be provided. If residents can’t afford the repairs, their homes may never receive weatherization assistance. Now with these funds, we can repair and weatherize homes at the same time and at no cost to the client.”

“Kansas Gas Service is pleased to support this impactful program that helps customers save money on energy costs and improve quality of life by providing a safer home environment,” said Kara Titus, Community Relations Area Manager for Kansas Gas Service. “This is part of our commitment to build sustainable communities for our current and future customers.”

Eligibility for the Weatherization Assistance Program is based on the applicant’s annual income and the home’s structural eligibility. Program funds are available until fully expended. To learn more and apply for assistance, contact your county’s Weatherization Service Provider.

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Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) helps Kansans access the quality, 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. For more information about the Weatherization Assistance Program, please contact Senior Program Manager Scott Kuhn.

Kansas Gas Service (KGS) delivers clean, reliable natural gas service to more than 639,000 customers in 360 communities across the state and is the largest natural gas distributor in Kansas in terms of customers. A division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), KGS is a 100 percent regulated, publicly traded natural gas utility. ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information, visit KGS online or on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.