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January 22, 2024

TOPEKA – Six nonprofit community organizations across the state received a combined $122,761.55 to help low-income Kansans achieve stability and access economic opportunities. The awards, provided through federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) discretionary funding, will support initiatives ranging from funding childcare, transportation, and a Director of Supportive Services position for families in non-congregate shelters in McPherson, to providing supplies and operation funds for an emergency overnight warming center in Topeka, to providing wraparound behavioral health services and case management to help families reach self-sufficiency in Northeast Kansas.

“The CSBG program aims to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient,” said Marilyn Stanley, CSBG Program Manager at the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). “We’re so pleased to work with our community partners to provide these vital resources to Kansans in need.”

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CSBG program supports local service partners that provide resources and assistance to low-income community members. KHRC serves as the state’s CSBG program administrator. CSBG grant awards fund a range of community services, including job training, financial management education, childcare services, housing and food assistance programs, and more.

Service partners apply for discretionary funding through competitive application processes. Complete award details are available online.

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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.

January 8, 2024

20 years of Unlocking Home | 2023 Annual Report

I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately. Albert Einstein determined that time is not absolute: the rate at which time flows depends on where you are and how fast you’re traveling. Though time purportedly slows down the faster we’re moving, it sure seems to be flying by for KHRC!

Kansas Housing celebrated a major milestone this year: 20 years of unlocking home. The clock started ticking when Governor Sebelius’ 2003 executive order established KHRC as a “one stop shop for housing.” Time flowed slowly at first as we established our footing and quietly administered programs. National economic pressures and natural disasters in Greensburg and Southeast Kansas propelled our mission forward, as communities and policy makers recognized the importance of homes in building strong families and vibrant economies. Contrary to the special theory of relativity, time somehow flowed more quickly the busier we became, whether we were implementing the state’s first housing study in 30 years; preventing 95,000 families from losing their homes during the pandemic; or rolling out historic new state housing development resources.

In this moment, we pause the clock and reflect on these 20 years. This annual report captures our accomplishments, adventures, and stories since KHRC’s clock started ticking. Pausing the clock allows us to ponder the laughs, smiles, celebrations, milestones, dreams, and hopes achieved in the homes KHRC has unlocked with the tireless work of our partners and team.

But ultimately, we know that the clock keeps ticking, and KHRC keeps moving forward! Time is of the essence; homes are essential to community revitalization, employer expansion, quality healthcare, vibrant schools, and happy families. This annual report offers not just a glance back in time, but a glimpse towards our future and where we’re going as an organization and a state.

Einstein had it right that time will continue to flow, and I’m equally convinced that Kansas Housing will unlock homes today, tomorrow, and for many more years to come. I can’t wait.

-Ryan Vincent, Executive Director

View the interactive 2023 Annual Report

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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.

December 19, 2023

Kansas Housing recently presented its annual year-end awards to employees who have reached milestones in their years of service.

Congratulations to the awardees, who have graciously served fellow Kansans and co-workers by embodying KHRC’s core values of compassion, collaboration, nimbleness, thoroughness, and transparency in all they do! KHRC offers sincere thanks for your many years of service and leadership!

Terri Bradshaw, Housing Development Manager, has served KHRC for five years.

Emily Sharp, Communications Director, has served KHRC for five years.

Katelyn Ramirez, Human Resources Generalist, has served KHRC for 10 years.

Kim Rodie, Finance Manager, has served KHRC for 10 years.

Garry Adam, Compliance Officer, has served KHRC for 15 years.

Lori Threadgold, Chief Financial Officer, has served KHRC for 15 years.

Laurie Fritz, Director of Contract Administration, has served KHRC for 20 years.

Ryan Vincent, Executive Director, has served 25 years at KHRC!

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December 15, 2023

Nearly $49 million assists more than 4,300 Kansas homeowners

The Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund (KHAF), a federally funded, temporary emergency program to support homeowners experiencing hardship during the COVID pandemic, has stopped accepting applications and is now closed.

KHAF was established with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help qualifying Kansas homeowners get current on their mortgages and avoid foreclosure. Since the program launched in April 2022, KHAF has provided nearly $49 million in assistance, preventing foreclosure for more than 4,300 homeowners.

The program’s impacts were felt across the state:

98 of 105 Kansas counties assisted
93% of homeowners assisted were below 100% of their area’s median income
275 mortgage servicers collaborated with KHAF
Homeowners were offered HUD housing counseling and/or legal services

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, Kansas had distributed or allocated 96.3 percent of its federal Homeowner Assistance Funds by the first quarter of 2023. This was the highest percentage of Homeowner Assistance Fund disbursements among all 50 states.

View the interactive map by clicking the image. Source: U.S. Department of Treasury.

Additional data revealed Kansas’ foreclosure starts for the first half of 2023 were down significantly to just 34 percent of 2019 levels, among the lowest of all states.

View the interactive map by clicking the image. Source: ATTOM Data Solutions.

The closure process followed three phases.

Final Funding Phase: On January 30, 2023, homeowners were encouraged to apply as soon as possible to be considered for final funding.
Hold Phase: On February 21, 2023, KHAF had received enough applications to exhaust all funds.
Closure Phase: On Dec. 15, 2023 KHAF closed and stopped accepting new applications. Approved forward mortgage payments are accounted for and will be paid as scheduled.

KHAF applicants can monitor scheduled forward mortgage payments by logging into the KHAF portal and viewing the status description and scheduled payments.

KHAF cannot guarantee the payment of shortages due to loan servicer misquotes or increases in monthly payments due to tax and insurance escrow changes.

A list of HUD housing counseling agencies, legal services, the Kansas foreclosure timeline, and loss mitigation options can be viewed at Additional Housing Resources.

For more questions, applicants can reach KHAF customer service at KHAF@kshousingcorp.org, or review the KHAF closure FAQs. KHRC’s ongoing housing programs will continue to serve Kansas beyond the closure of the KHAF program.

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The KHAF program is administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), 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, administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans

October 5, 2023

Kansas Housing launches statewide application for free weatherization services

Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) staff and and community partners in proclaiming October Energy Action Month and October 30 Weatherization Day in Kansas. Energy Action Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the statewide Weatherization Assistance Program and encourage Kansans to reduce energy usage and save on utility bills as cold weather approaches.

Weatherization reduces utility costs by improving energy efficiency while ensuring health and safety. Services are customized for each individual residence but may include:

Weather stripping
Caulking around doors and windows and other air leaks
Repair or replacement of inefficient or dangerous furnaces
Insulating walls, ceilings, and floors
Lighting and ventilation upgrades

Eligibility for the Weatherization Assistance Program is based on household income. Applications are accepted year-round, and services are provided free of charge.

Learn more and apply!

The proclamation was signed alongside staff from KHRC, which administers the Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program, and Weatherization providers and partners:

Spread the word! Watch and share our new weatherization overview videos in English and Spanish to see how the process works.

September 22, 2023

In July, Kansas Housing received 12 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) applications equating to over $206 million in Private Activity Bonds (PABs) for the final of three application rounds. Of the three applications awarded, the approved LIHTCs and PABs will build 114 new units and rehabilitate 223 existing affordable units.

Collectively, the three rounds are projected to provide approximately 1657 affordable units for Kansans, and over $239 million in PABs will be utilized. The 2023 Qualified Allocation plan states that 40% of the PABs will be for new construction and 40% for rehabilitation. KHRC awarded 59% of PABs to new construction applicants and 41% to rehabilitation projects.

The Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit Act was enacted by H.B. 2237 in 2022. All 4% and 9% LIHTC projects awarded in 2023 will receive Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credits in addition to the federal LIHTCs as an equal match. With the additional resources provided by the state credit, Kansas Housing saw an increase in 4% LIHTC applications, particularly in the new construction set-aside.

For more information on how federal and state LIHTCs are allocated, please reference our 2023 Qualified Allocation Plan or the draft 2024 Qualified Allocation Plan.

The updated 4% LIHTC and PAB project list is available online.

Kansas Housing administers the state’s housing development programs and oversees the competitive application process.

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