The City of Wichita received $72.4 million in
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the response to and recovery from COVID-19. Investment in affordable housing was identified as a high priority for ARPA funds following
public engagement. In August 2021, the City Council approved allocating $5 million in ARPA funds for an Affordable Housing Fund (AHF).
Next, the City engaged with a consultant,
Development Strategies. Development Strategies facilitated four Technical Advisory Committee meetings with area leaders and experts to determine outcomes and priorities of the Affordable Housing Fund. Development Strategies then presented the recommendation for the Affordable Housing Fund at the
January 25, 2022 Council Workshop.
AHF Goal
The goal of the Affordable Housing Fund is to improve the quality of the existing affordable housing stock (rental and for-sale), while expanding quality affordable housing options and promoting neighborhood stability in the city's core areas.
Eligible Users
- Non-profit and for-profit developers with a track record of efficiently completing renovation and new construction projects, that have honored/used all prior City funding commitments.
- Established non-profit organizations with demonstrated capacity to expand services.
Eligible Uses
Development
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Single family home renovation or rehab (for sale or rental)
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Home repair to existing low/moderate income homeowners
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New Construction of affordable single-family homes
Housing Wrap Around Services
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Credit counseling
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Homebuyer/homeowner training
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Eviction prevention/mitigation
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Housing navigation for renters
Beneficiaries
Low to moderate income households and families will be able to access housing from for- and non-profit developers, and housing services from established non-profit organizations. Check out the chart below for information on income limits by adjusted household size.
2023 Income Limit for Persons in Family (Personas en Familia)
Income Limit Category (Categoria Limite de Ingresos)
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
50% AMI
|
$29,800
|
$34,050
|
$38,300
|
$42,550
|
$46,000
|
$49,400
|
$52,800
|
$56,200
|
60% AMI
|
$35,760
|
$40,860
|
$45,960
|
$51,060
|
$55,200 |
$59,280
|
$63,360
|
$67,440
|
80% AMI
|
$47,700
|
$54,500
|
$61,300
|
$68,100
|
$73,550
|
$79,000
|
$84,450
|
$89,900
|
Commitment to Equity
The focus area of the AHF serves Wichita's minority communities, who are disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity. As such, the fund will incorporate equity in the policies, program administration, review process and oversight. The program will ensure the minority developers and contractors can reasonably participate, decision making around project funding will consider the impact to minority communities and ensure that minority community leaders will be an integral part of the Review Committee.
Scope of Services
Within the Established Central Area & qualified census tracts with prioritization for projects proposed that leverage public housing stock, and/or within .25 miles of any public housing property. Emphasizing projects in areas within a quarter mile radius ensures neighborhood impact. See map below.
Leveraging of Public Housing Properties
This fund will prioritize projects that leverage the City's existing public housing stock in qualified census tracts, which consists of about 213 Wichita Housing Authority homes.
Proceeds from the purchase of these homes will revolve back into the Affordable Housing Fund for its replenishment. This will allow the program to continue past the spending deadline for ARPA funds, improving sustainable homeownership opportunities and the quality of affordable rental properties throughout Wichita for years to come.
July 11, 2022 | AHF Information Session
Interested in learning the most up to date information about the AHF? Check out the recording below of the July 11, 2022 AHF Information Session. The minutes from this meeting will be posted in the document library upon completion.
