Spring 2023 | Breaking Ground:
On the Homefront with Kansas Housing
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While April showers bring May flowers, it’s also a special time of year for KHRC as we celebrate Fair Housing Month. As told in this excellent documentary, 55 years ago this month, President Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act (FHA) into law following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a champion for housing equality. The FHA protects people from discrimination when they rent or buy a home, get a mortgage, seek housing assistance, and more. The FHA prohibits discrimination based on: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability.
In a recent symposium “Toward a Racially Just Housing System”, a speaker clarified what the “Fair” in “Fair Housing” means. Here’s her point using Kansas data: Black Kansans account for 6% of the state’s population, but represent 28% of Kansans experiencing homelessness. Similarly, Native Americans are six times more likely to experience homelessness than white residents. “Fair” wouldn’t be that any particular community’s share of the homeless population is proportional to their share of the general population - “Fair” would be that no Kansan has to experience homelessness, that everyone has the right to affordable, quality housing.
Which brings us to how we can make a difference… every safe, affordable home unlocked by KHRC and our partners furthers Fair Housing. We further Fair Housing when we:
- Invest in areas where families have the most opportunity and that aren’t concentrating poverty;
- Review housing designs to ensure that proposed developments aren’t discriminating against larger families and are accessible to seniors and persons with disabilities;
- Monitor properties’ tenant selection plans to avoid steering and ensure equitable treatment; &
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Host a variety of Fair Housing trainings in April and throughout the year to educate our stakeholders on the law and its importance.
- Ryan Vincent, Executive Director
Breaking Ground is a quarterly newsletter from Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the state's housing finance agency. We hope you'll follow along to keep up on the latest Kansas housing news! Update your subscription preferences anytime.
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Kansas Housing awards the first State Affordable Housing Tax Credits
The first Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credits have been awarded to four 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Private Activity Bond (PAB) projects. In January, Kansas Housing received 11 applications equating to over $250 million in Private Activity Bonds for the first of three application rounds. Of the four applications awarded, the approved LIHTCs and PABs will build 436 new units and rehabilitate 181 affordable units.
The Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit was enacted by HB2237 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 funding provided by the state credit, Kansas Housing saw an increase in 4% LIHTC applications, particularly in the new construction set-aside.
Read more.
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Homeownership is within reach for more Kansas families, thanks to expanded eligibility guidelines for the state’s First Time Homebuyer program. Administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the program helps income-eligible households purchase their first home by providing down payment and closing cost assistance.
“KHRC wants to keep the dream of homeownership alive for Kansas families despite recent increases in home values and interest rates,” said Ryan Vincent, KHRC’s Executive Director. “By expanding eligibility for first-time homebuyers, we’re making homes more affordable, enabling households to build equity, and helping families invest in future generations of Kansans.”
The First Time Homebuyer Program assists those purchasing their first home or those who have not owned a home for at least three years and earn no more than 80 percent of their area’s median income. Homebuyers must make a modest down payment investment and are eligible for an interest-free loan in the amount of 15 or 20 percent of the home’s purchase price. The loan is forgiven if the buyer remains in the home for 10 years.
Recent program updates have expanded eligibility:
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Debt-to-income ratio of up to 45 percent. Previously, homebuyers could spend up to 41 percent of their monthly income on debt such as car loans, credit cards, and student loan payments.
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PITI (mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) ratio of 15 to 30 percent. Previously, applicants were required to devote 20 to 30 percent of their monthly income to PITI.
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Homebuyer down payment contribution of one to 10 percent. Qualified participants were previously required to contribute two to 10 percent of the home’s sale price.
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Adjusted interest rates. To accommodate a broader range of credit scores, lenders can now set interest rates up to .65 percent higher than Freddie Mac, a .15 percent increase from the previous limit.
Read more.
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Seven nonprofit community organizations across the state received a combined $143,040.36 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:
- Training staff to provide literacy and educational resources for English and non-English speakers in Northeast Kansas, to
- Providing wraparound services for unhoused survivors of domestic violence in Johnson County, to
- Purchasing tablets to track progress for the Habitat Kansas Home Repair Project’s 16 organizations across the state.
Read more.
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KHRC’s emergency programs continue to wind down as we focus on long-term housing development solutions.
Our Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund (KHAF) Program is in hold phase, having provided more than $46.2M to nearly 4,100 households facing foreclosure. The program has received enough applications to expend all funds.
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Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) has launched a statewide art contest inviting K-12 students to share their visions on the theme: WHAT DOES HOME MEAN TO ME?
A KHRC committee will review submissions and select winner(s) to be displayed in the Kansas State Capitol and at the 2023 Kansas Housing Conference Welcome Reception. Submissions will be accepted until May 1. Winners will be announced on May 15 via email and on KHRC’s website.
Read more.
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Save the Date! Our 18th annual Kansas Housing Conference will bring together housing professionals from across the state and region to network, learn, and explore the latest trends and innovations in affordable housing as we celebrate KHRC's 20th anniversary!
Join us August 22-24, 2023 at the Overland Park Convention Center!
Sponsor / Exhibitor Registration is open and we are accepting Agenda Submissions! General registration opens this spring.
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We're kicking off this year's Kansas Housing Conference in style with a with a 1920s-themed welcome reception to commemorate our 20th year!
Mark your calendar for Monday evening, Aug. 21 at the Overland Park Convention Center as we toast two decades of helping Kansans access the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve.
Stay tuned for more info!
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Visit our Careers Page for current job listings!
· Paid holidays and time off
· State employee health plan
· KPERS retirement plan
· Paid maternity / paternity leave
· Infants at work program
· Flexible and remote work options
· Tuition reimbursement
· Paid covered parking
We are an equal opportunity, family-friendly employer that embraces diversity, encourages employee health and wellness, and offers a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. KHRC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation to all individuals in employment, its services, programs, and activities.
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Check out our News page for an archive of KHRC News. | | | | | |
