Contrary to the prevailing narratives, there are communities across the plains of central and western Kansas where people desperately want to live, helping position those places to add population. Remote work has opened possibilities for people looking for affordable housing and a different pace of life. Places such as Stafford County are seeing interest from manufacturers as it looks to develop a rail port to handle grain, fertilizer and other local products. But there’s a catch: There have to be enough places to live. The Kansas Housing Resources Corp. and the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity in 2021 launched the first statewide housing assessment in 30 years. Not surprisingly, it found a shortage of quality, affordable dwellings – a hindrance to growth and development, particularly in smaller communities. Over the course of a year, RDG Planning & Design, an Omaha-based consulting firm, conducted a detailed study to spot current housing needs and growth opportunities, including goals and strategic initiatives to guide the state’s housing development efforts. It included 71 virtual and in-person listening sessions with more than 425 community participants across the state, as well as meetings with housing groups. The firm also surveyed more than 4,400 respondents statewide and analyzed census data to develop a comprehensive picture of the housing situation. According to the report released last fall, Kansas – and the Midwest generally – have lagged behind other regions of the country in terms of population growth, while the average age has climbed. Meanwhile, housing prices have jumped and construction has slumped since the Great Recession. Granted, each community’s needs are different, Arnberger says. Income levels, home prices and other economic factors can present unique housing issues – and solutions too.
Source: KLC Journal
