The City of Wichita is looking for buyers for 57 homes under the city’s new Affordable Housing Fund.  The fund was created to improve the quality of existing housing stock,  expand affordable housing options, and promote neighborhood stability. There are 41 homes being offered in northeast Wichita, along Minnesota, Ash, Piatt and Madison streets, between 25th and 26th Streets.   There are also 16 homes in southwest Wichita, in the area of Pawnee and Meridian. Bidders can purchase available units within these areas, propose a per-unit scope of work for necessary renovations, request up to $40,000 per housing unit for renovation, and they can request project based voucher assistance.    Bidders will have to propose an affordable housing outcome for these homes, so they will have to make sure there is a qualified low-to-moderate-income resident to live in the home. Sarah Gooding with the city’s Department of Housing and Community Services said this is the renovation phase of the Affordable Housing Fund program, so the city will be looking for qualified applicants with experience in single-family housing rehabilitation or construction, and experience in working with local, state and federal funds or housing programs.   The homes must be available as affordable housing for 15 years.    The next phase will be the opportunity phase, to help income-qualified people in buying or renting these homes. More information on the program is available on the city’s web site at wichita.gov
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Teens from the Wichita area are working this week to paint nine houses, and they’re also working on projects at Carpenter Place, a local children’s home. The Wichita WorkCamp summer service project is marking its 17th anniversary, and it involves 75 teenagers and college students from across the nation, plus 75 adult volunteers.   Each volunteer pays a fee to participate and that helps to cover the cost of the supplies, allowing the group to offer services free of charge. The WorkCamp is hosted by the Northside Church of Christ and it is also sponsored by a number of local businesses.
Source: 101.3 KFDI