Second Year Program Results Show Benefit to Six Kansas Counties
Financial assistance provided through the second year of the NCRPC Housing Initiative enabled the completion of 87 housing rehabilitation projects and the demolition of 55 dilapidated residential structures across six Kansas counties: Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Republic, and Rooks.
The initiative was administered by the North Central Regional Planning Commission through a partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan, Kansas.
Intended to strengthen housing in communities, the initiative included pilot programs focusing on moderate-income housing rehabilitation and the demolition of dilapidated residential properties.
The Demolition Pilot Program offered reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 per property for removal and cleanup of structures. The Moderate Income Housing Rehabilitation Pilot Program offered reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 to homeowners to complete minor housing upgrades. Households met moderate income guidelines to be eligible to apply.
“The moderate-income housing rehabilitation pilot program was designed to assist homeowners that are many times underserved by other funding programs,” said NCRPC Housing Director Keegan Bailey. “There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing housing challenges in rural communities. This initiative was one tool available to assist homeowners.”
The most common housing improvements completed with program assistance included upgrades to windows, siding, electrical systems, and HVAC systems.
“We were thrilled with results of year two of the initiative and appreciate the local partners who helped make the program a success in these locations,” Bailey said. “Anything we can do to help preserve housing stock or remove dilapidated structures is a win for communities,” Bailey said.
Similar pilot programs have also been completed in Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Russell, and Smith counties. A third year of the NCRPC Housing Initiative has also launched in six additional Kansas counties, including Logan, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, and Sherman, and is currently ongoing. It is anticipated that the initiative will expand to more counties in the Dane G. Hansen Foundation service area in 2025, subject to the availability of funding.
Learn more about the NCRPC Housing Initiative.
This article appeared in the Quarters 3 & 4 2024 NCRPC Newsletter.
