February 20, 2026 | Development offers 24 accessible duplex homes for Kansans aged 55 and older.
Housing Opportunities Inc., community members, and state leaders gathered on February 20 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Flintwood Senior Housing, a new 24-unit development designed to serve Russell-area seniors seeking affordable, independent living options.
Elected officials in attendance included Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia; Rep. Troy Waymaster (pictured to left, right), R-Bunker Hill; and Reid Petty (pictured to left, left), representing U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.
For many residents, Flintwood provides an opportunity to remain in the community they have long called home without the demands of maintaining a single-family house. Doren and Verlaine Bender (pictured below, right) understand that transition well.
The couple built their Russell home by hand in the late 1960s and lived there for nearly six decades. Now 90 and 86, they said maintaining the property had become increasingly difficult.
“It’s bittersweet,” Verlaine said. “We watched that house go up board by board. It’s been a good home to us.”
Flintwood offers the only senior-specific rental housing currently available in Russell. For the Benders and others, the development makes it possible to stay near their son, grandchildren, and longtime friends while moving into housing designed for aging in place. As seniors transition into Flintwood, single-family homes they leave behind can become available for new families.
The development features duplex-style homes designed for accessibility, safety, and comfort. Two units are fully ADA-compliant and feature reinforced bathrooms that also serve as storm shelters. The remaining units include standalone storm shelters located in attached garages (pictured below), a feature particularly important in central Kansas.
Each home includes a full kitchen (pictured below), spacious living area, modern finishes, and an attached garage. Property management handles lawn care and exterior maintenance, reducing the physical demands of homeownership while allowing residents to maintain independence.
Flintwood also includes a shared community room for gatherings and events, giving residents space to host family celebrations, game nights, and social activities.
The development serves households earning up to $50,460 (4 person household at 60% of Area Median Income), with several units serving households earning up to $42,050 (4 person household at 50% of Area Median Income). The project offers gross rents at a rate that is below the fair market rent for the area in which the property is located as published by HUD, which ensures affordability for seniors on fixed incomes. The current published rents range from $550/month to $620/month.
At the time of this writing, nine units were currently occupied. Two households were moving, and two more move-ins were scheduled. Four applications were pending approval, and seven units remained available.
Community members say the development helps fill an important gap in Russell’s housing market.
“In small towns, it’s easy for housing needs to go unnoticed,” said Russell resident Leon Moore (pictured to the right). “It’s encouraging to see investment in housing that allows seniors to stay here.”
The project has also drawn interest from outside the immediate community.
Connie Jacobs and Pat Jones (pictured to the left), who live near Hays and have family ties in Russell, said they are considering relocating to Flintwood. Both said the development offers a practical way to remain close to loved ones while moving into housing that better fits their current needs.
Flintwood was financed in part through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program; tools commonly used to expand affordable housing options in rural Kansas communities. The total development cost for Flintwood Senior Housing was $6,992,000. The project was supported by $5,963,345 in LIHTC equity and $750,000 in HOME funds, helping ensure long-term affordability for qualifying residents while maintaining high-quality construction standards. In accordance with federal LIHTC guidelines, the property must remain affordable with below-market rental rates for 30 years. KHRC will monitor the development throughout the affordability period to ensure compliance with guidelines, the property is well-maintained, and that our quality and safety standards are met.
Local lenders expressed hope that the development will help seniors remain near family, friends, and community while transitioning into housing that better fits their needs.
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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.