Applications open for Wichita’s revamped home repair program
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Homeowners in Wichita who need expensive repairs could get help from a revamped City program.
The City of Wichita’s Home Improvement Program has been around for decades. It shut down last year, but relaunched Thursday with a few new things.
“We’ve been working on how to make it a more healthy and holistic program. There were a lot of things that we realized were barriers and obstacles to really doing the jobs the way we wanted to,” said Sarah Gooding with Housing and Community Services.
Homeowners can apply for a $5,000 forgivable deferred loan on their home for repairs. If it costs more than that, they can get a $20,000 non-forgivable deferred loan, which is a new addition this year.
“We know that it’s far more expensive to build homes to replace units that are lost. And so this program allows us to infuse money into existing homes to help maintain quality affordable housing,” said Gooding.
Also new, the applicant must have homeowners insurance, must own the home and live there and be up to date on property taxes. City officials say the goal is to help people with low and moderate incomes stay in their homes.
“It is helping people who are low and moderate income to remain in the affordable unit where they already live. The second goal is really about housing stock within the city of Wichita. We know that it’s far more expensive to build homes to replace units that are lost. And so this program allows us to infuse money into existing home,” said Gooding. “We know that we won’t be able to make impact everywhere. But the goal is if we can prevent loss of affordable housing units and stabilize homeowners in their homes, that’s a win overall for the city.”
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Lori Lawrence is a part of the Uptown Neighborhood Association and is a homeowner herself. She says that this program is a need, but a lot more needs to be done.
“A lot of what we see is elderly people. I mean, I’m elderly, older people, you know, people who can’t do things on their own that need help and don’t have the money because they’re not working,” said Lawrence. “But it’s not only them now. It’s lots of people because of the cost of repairs being so expensive now.”
Cost of repairs isn’t the only concern. Lawrence says that cost of healthcare is also affecting home repairs.
“A lot of people have health issues, and a lot of people in Kansas — because we haven’t expanded Medicaid — don’t have health insurance because they don’t meet the income level to get Obamacare and they don’t they’re aren’t poor enough or disabled enough to get regular Medicaid,” said Lawrence. “So they’re stuck in that gray area where they can’t get health care. So they have unbelievable bills, and they don’t want to let those go.”
There are income requirements for the program. Gooding says this is complex, and rehabilitation specialists will be available to answer questions.
To learn more about the program and how to apply, click here.
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