Overview
The Places for People Plan recommends that the City of Wichita identify and utilize economic development tools that can be used to support redevelopment within the Established Central Area. As part of the implementation effort, the City of Wichita is learning more about best practices from other communities related to encouraging reinvestment within existing neighborhoods. On March 23, 2021, the Wichita City Council received a presentation on an analysis of infill development – challenges, opportunities, and practices from other communities. Following the presentation and based on community feedback, the City begin to focus on how conditions could be improved for affordable housing.
In August 2021 and as part of the 2022-2023 Budget, the City of Wichita programmed $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act to support four community initiatives. One of those initiatives is Affordable Housing. In order to help maximize the community value and benefit; and to help ensure that the efforts help accomplish community goals, the City of Wichita formed an Affordable Housing Fund Technical Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee was formed in September 2021 with the purpose of advising the City Manager and staff on the development of a draft strategy for projects and programs to improve affordable housing in Wichita. Once a draft strategy is developed, then it will be presented for public feedback. The feedback received will help determine the final draft strategy that will be presented to the City Council.
