News

Home
News

PUBLIC NOTICES

KHRC News

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

January 14, 2021

This year has shown us that home has never been more important. Home has always meant shelter and security. In the midst of a pandemic, home has become so much more. As we’ve had to adjust quickly, home has become the place where we receive our health care, educate our children, conduct business, and connect virtually for worship services, community meetings, and social gatherings. A year full of uncertainty and seemingly uncontrollable circumstances has caused me to hold closer to the thing that is most important: the health and safety of those I care most about. I have been fortunate to spend time with developers, advocates, and homeowners who all echo the same sentiment. Our mission—to provide Kansans access to the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve—has never been more important. Because everything we need can be found in a home, but in order for that to be true everyone must have a place to call home.

Please join us as we reflect on all we’ve accomplished together in our 2020 annual report. It was an extremely challenging but ultimately productive year. Our work and our progress continues, even during this challenging time.

Ryan Vincent | Executive Director

January 6, 2021

Kansans struggling to cover rent and utility bills may qualify for assistance, thanks to funds awarded by Kansas Housing. The funding, made possible through the state’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program and funded through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), helps income-eligible households afford rental subsidies, utility deposits, and security deposits. Assistance is administered by a network of 11 nonprofit grantees who serve communities across the state.

“A lack of quality, affordable housing across our state was a challenge even before COVID-19,” said Ryan Vincent, Kansas Housing’s Executive Director. “With the current pandemic, this shortage has become a crisis. We’re pleased to offer this support to keep Kansans in their homes during this time of critical need.”

Public housing authorities and non-profit organizations may apply for TBRA grants of up to $400,000 through a competitive annual process. Kansas Housing officials administer the program and award the funds based on a community’s housing needs, the number of households estimated to be served, the extent of the service area, and the organization’s experience administering TBRA funding.

This year’s award details are listed below. To apply for rental assistance, please contact the provider serving your area.

Grantee	Award Amount	Service Provided	Area Served	Contact
Bert Nash	$90,000	Rental subsidies and security/utility deposit assistance for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI).	Douglas County	Gallal Obeid, 785-842-8110
City of Ellsworth	$50,000	Rental and security/utility deposit assistance for individuals or families at or below 60% of the area median income.	Ellsworth County	Deanne Hoch, 785-472-3348
Harvest America	$400,000	Rental subsidy and security/utility deposit assistance with a preference for very low income households.	Barber, Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Morton, Ness, Norton, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rooks, Rush, Seward, Scott, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Trego, Wichita counties	Terri Bookless, 913-342-2121
City of Independence	$90,000	Rental assistance for low income families, single parent households, people with disabilities, and/or seniors.	City of Independence	April Nutt or Molly Wright, 620-332-2536
Kim Wilson	$90,000	Rental subsidy and security deposit assistance for target population of people with SPMI, severe mental illness (SMI), or people navigating re-entry.	Wyandotte County	Michele Fox, 913-233-3362
City of Leavenworth	$85,000	Rental and security/utility deposit assistance for low income households, including those experiencing homelessness, single-parent households, domestic abuse/violence survivors, and those caring for seniors and people with disabilities.	City of Leavenworth	Lawrence Levine, 913-364-5840
NEKCAP	$300,000	Rental and security/utility deposit assistance for low- income Kansans.	Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, Nemaha counties.	Kristy Morey, 785-742-2222, ext. 156
Pittsburg Housing Authority	$90,000	Security deposit assistance program targeting single parent, senior, and homeless households.	Crawford county	Megan Keener, 620-232-1210
Riley County	$100,000	Security and utility deposit assistance for low-income households.	Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Marion, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Wabaunsee counties.	Julie Govert Walter, 785-776-9294
SEK-CAP	$400,000	Rental subsidy and security/utility deposit assistance with preference for individuals or families experiencing homelessness.	Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Crawford, Elk, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, Woodson counties.	Timi Myers, 620-724-8204, ext. 1004
Valeo	$118,100	Rental subsidy and security deposit assistance to SPMI households.	Topeka / Shawnee county	Theresa Douthart, 785-233-1730

###

Kansas Housing helps Kansans access the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve. To learn more about the TBRA program, contact Program Manager Cynthia Howerton or visit our website.

December 28, 2020

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that a planning and design firm with extensive statewide experience will lead Kansas’ first comprehensive housing needs assessment in nearly 30 years. RDG Planning & Design, an Omaha-based consultancy, will conduct an in-depth discovery process, assess current housing opportunities and identify goals, and develop strategic initiatives to guide the state’s future housing development efforts.

“A shortage of quality, affordable housing is one of our state’s biggest barriers to growth and development, particularly in our rural communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This statewide housing assessment will provide us with a starting point on how we can positively affect communities’ abilities to grow and provide the quality of life that every Kansan deserves, regardless of their zip code.”

RDG has worked in Kansas communities ranging from Scott City to Chanute, De Soto to Dickinson County. The firm’s initiatives have included collaborating with Dodge City officials to develop some of the state’s first Rural Housing Incentive Districts (RHID), working with Salina leaders to encourage greater reinvestment in core neighborhoods, and helping Johnson County navigate tremendous new growth.

“Dodge City has put a major focus on addressing our housing shortage to provide essential homes for our workforce,” said Joann Knight, Executive Director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation. “RDG plays a vital role in our success, and their attention to detail makes understanding housing needs much easier.”

“RDG has had the pleasure to work in every corner of Kansas, from the state’s largest cities to its smallest communities,” said Amy Haase, RDG Principal. “We have developed a deep understanding of the wide breadth of housing opportunities and challenges facing Kansans, and we are proud that communities continue to seek us out both for the expertise we provide and the passion we bring for creating great places.”

Kansas has not conducted a significant housing study in decades, resulting in a shortage of data on existing housing resources and current and projected needs. The Office of Rural Prosperity’s Housing Work Group, an interagency team of state leaders led by KHRC Executive Director Ryan Vincent, identified a needs assessment as a crucial first step in addressing the state’s housing needs and priorities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

“As I have discussed with Kansans across the state, housing is a barrier for communities to recruiting and retaining skilled workers,” Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers said. “This statewide assessment will allow us to determine what our current housing needs are and how best to address them.”

The state’s Office of Rural Prosperity, in conjunction with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the state’s housing finance agency, selected the firm through a competitive RFP process and will manage the project. The assessment process is expected to extend throughout 2021, with the final report’s delivery anticipated in December 2021.

###

Governor Laura Kelly and 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.

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) helps Kansans access the quality, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve. Codified at K.S.A. 74-8901 et. seq., KHRC is a public corporation and independent instrumentality of the state. KHRC serves as the state’s housing finance agency (HFA), administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans. Learn more about KHRC’s core values, programs, and services online.