A lack of housing is a barrier to growth in northwest Kansas, where about half of the housing stock was built prior to the 1950s. With the region in need of new homes, a fresh funding initiative aims to address regional gaps. The Kansas Legislature passed a budget for fiscal year 2025, which began in July, that includes a provision to transfer $7.3 million from special revenue funds to the Northwest Kansas Housing Economic Development Fund. That money will be spread across a few construction projects: The City of Atwood will receive $750,000 for residential infrastructure improvements along South 7th Street. The community of Russell will get $1.5 million for residential infrastructure development at Main and Maple streets. $1 million will go to the community of Sharon Springs for housing infrastructure work along 6th Street. An additional $4 million provided by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, based in Logan County, will be paired with local matching funds, also totaling $4 million, to tackle gaps in housing construction across the foundation’s 26-county service area in northwest and north-central Kansas. Northwest Kansas Innovation Center regional housing specialist Randy Speaker says this funding will help close the housing gap in northwest Kansas by providing the infrastructure to build new affordable housing options, restore old housing stock to livable standards, and provide low-maintenance homes for senior residents.
Source: KLC Journal
