City invests in new Affordable Housing Fund program

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – On Thursday, the City of Wichita announced it is investing in affordable housing by putting $5 million in the city’s new Affordable Housing Fund (AHF).

“The goal of the AHF is to improve the quality of existing housing stock while expanding quality affordable housing options and promoting neighborhood stability,” read a news release from the city. “The program will develop safe, healthy and affordable housing options for income-qualified residents.”

A Request For Proposal (RFP) will be issued in early May so that qualified applicants can submit offers to:

• Purchase available units within the pilot areas
• Propose a per-unit scope of work for necessary renovations of existing affordable
  housing units
• Request up to $40,000 per housing unit for purchase or renovation
• Request Project Based Voucher assistance
• And more

Applicants “must demonstrate that they have the ability and capacity to conduct the necessary
work based on successful completion of similar projects, as well as past experience utilizing
local, state or federal government-sponsored funding.”

Applications will be due in late June. Awards will be announced in late 2024 after they are reviewed, scored by the Affordable Housing Review Board, and presented to the city council for approval.

“All units purchased and rehabilitated through the AHF must be utilized as affordable housing
upon completion of rehabilitation and be accessible to low to moderate income individuals and
families,” stated the news release.

For more information on the AHF, click here . Applicants may request to be notified about the RFP, updates, and milestones by emailing housingdevelopment@wichita.gov .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.