City of Wichita - Housing Main

Housing & Community Services

Equal Housing Opportunity

Mission
… to provide housing and related services to benefit the citizens and neighborhoods of Wichita

Vision
… to help people make Wichita home – where the “heart” is!

Values

Respectfully helping others achieve safe, affordable housing
Empowering people and improving neighborhoods
Making a difference – right where people live
Investing in people with their housing needs

We receive grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

Los servicios disponibles en espanol sobre el pedido.

Our Programs

Public Housing is accepting applications from individuals aged 50 and over, households with four or more family members, and disabled head of households. The disability must be as determined by Social Security. If you meet this criteria and would like to complete an application, please do so at 332 N. Riverview, between 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday. If you have questions, please email Mary Williams-Bey at mbey@wichita.gov.

Section 8 is not accepting applications at this time.

15-Day Comment Period - 2009-2010 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

To fulfill U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements, the City of Wichita has prepared a draft of the 2009-2010 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). A 15-day comment period, extending from August 23, 2010 through September 6, 2010, has been established for citizens to review the draft CAPER and provide comments.

The CAPER is available for public review at City Hall, the Housing & Community Services Department, all City of Wichita Libraries and the Neighborhood City Halls through September 6, 2010 and can also be located online at 2009-2010 CAPER Draft.

Comments may be submitted to the Housing & Community Services Department until 5:00 PM September 6, 2010. Written comments may be submitted to 332 N. Riverview, Wichita KS 67203, ATTN: CAPER Comments. To make online comments send an email to CommunityHousing@wichita.gov. Use CAPER Comments on the Subject line in the email. There will be a Public Hearing held at 9:00 AM, September 14, 2010 in the City Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall located at 455 N. Main Street, Wichita KS.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication with City of Wichita personnel should contact ADA Coordinator, Brian Coon in the City Engineer's Office (316) 268-4448 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event or appearance.

2008-2009 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

2010-2011 Consolidated Plan Funding Recommendations

Final recommendations for the expenditure of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds were approved by Wichita City Council on May 4, 2010, and forwarded to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for their approval. This program year, 2010, which begins July 1, 2010 and ends June 30, 2011, is the Second Program Year of our 5-year Consolidated Plan.

The final 2010-11 Program Year Action Plan and allocation spreadsheet can be found at the following link:

2010-2011 Action Plan and Allocation Spreadsheet

The 2010-11 funding allocation recommedations were developed as part of a community planning process that involved members of the District Advisory Boards for Districts 1, 3, 4, and 6, as well as members of the public, who were invited to provide feedback on how the City should prioritize 2010-11 funds. A summary compliation of the consensus reached in each session can be found at 2010-2011 Consolidated Plan Funding Recommendations - Citizen Input Results.

Our People

Department staff achieve the “housing” portion of the mission through managing 578 units of Public Housing, administering over 2,500 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, providing funds for home repair for low income homeowners, and providing down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers. Several special populations are served in the department’s housing services, including prisoners returning to Wichita from Kansas prisons (Prisoner Reentry), homeless veterans and the chronically homeless population (Housing First).

For the next several months, the Department will feature a different housing program that illustrates our vision “to help people make Wichita home – where the heart is!”

Neighborhood Improvement Services (Home Repair)
The home repair programs offered through Neighborhood Improvement Services provide financial assistance for home repair for property owners who have made Wichita their home – where the ‘heart is’. Repairs range from addressing health and safety conditions such as replacing faulty electrical or plumbing systems to major rehabilitation of homes. All services, with the exception of emergency repairs, are provided within pre-determined target areas. Emergency assistance is available citywide.

The following programs are designed to assist eligible property owners, make improvements to their property and enhance the livability of their neighborhoods:

Emergency Home Repair Program
provides financial assistance to resolve an emergency situation affecting the health and/or safety of the recipient household.

Historic Loan Program
provides financial assistance for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historically and architecturally significant structures.

Low-Interest Home Improvement Loans
provide financial assistance with deferred loans to completely rehabilitate an owner-occupied residential dwelling unit located within one of the City’s Local Investment Areas.

Free Paint Program
Does your home need a fresh coat of paint? The City's Free Paint Program may be able to help you. If you live between I-235 on the west, Pawnee on the south, Hillside on the east and 25th street north, you may be eligible to receive up to $200 in free paint materials to paint the exterior of your home. Call now to see if you qualify for this free program. Paint is available between April 1 and September 15 -- but don't wait until the last minute. Call today! Neighborhood Improvement Services: 462-3713.

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