Housing Resources

CITY/COUNTY

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM – REPUBLIC COUNTY
Available from 2016-2020 Republic County, cities, and school districts have agreed to provide rebates on property tax on new construction that increases the appraised value of a Republic County property by $30,000 or more.

  • ●      Provides a 5-year rebate schedule of taxes paid on the new investment are 95%, 90%, 70%, 40%, & 20%.
  • ●      Applicable for residential, ag, commercial, and industrial projects.
  • ●      The rebates transfer with the sale of the property.

Pick up the application at the Republic County Appraisers office in Belleville 1815 M Street Belleville, KS 66935, 785-527-7229, rpappraiser@republiccounty.org.

LAND BANKS
Land banks are governmental entities or nonprofit corporations that are focused on the conversion of vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties into productive use. Vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties are often grouped together as “problem properties” because they destabilize neighborhoods, create fire and safety hazards, drive down property values, and drain local tax dollars. In some sense, these are properties the private market has altogether rejected.

In short, land banks are intended to acquire title to these problem properties, eliminate the liabilities, and transfer the properties to new, responsible owners in a transparent manner that results in outcomes consistent with community-based plans.

Frequently Asked Questions on Land Banking
The Legal Basis for a Land Bank in Kansas


REGIONAL

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION – BELOIT
NCRP serves 12 counties in North Central Kansas. Quality housing is an asset to a community and must be maintained and addressed just like any other infrastructure within a community. We have experienced staff available to help member cities and counties evaluate and address their respective housing needs. Housing services include but are not limited to housing project planning, housing rehabilitation administration and inspection, licensed lead inspections and risk assessments, lead clearance testing, certified asbestos assessments, demolition inspections, radon testing, and nuisance abatement.

Capital Improvement Planning

Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) act as long term guides that provide a schedule of construction or acquisition of capital improvements and provide a framework for how they will be funded. Cities, counties and non-profit entities all benefit from the capital improvement planning process. Those with a plan in place also have an easier time accessing funding from federal and state sources.

Our step-by-step “recipe” approach will help guide your city, county, or non-profit toward a usable plan that will help chart a five-year plan of action leading to enhanced decision making for improvements. Whether you are developing or updating a CIP—NCRPC staff will provide valuable resources and planning assistance. Click here for a fee schedule, then contact us to get started.


Housing Rehabilitation
The NCRPC provides application preparation, project administration and inspection services for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Program, which is funded through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The CDBG Housing Rehabilitation program is part of an annual competitive round with an application typically in August. This program provides funding to local governments for homeowner and rental rehabilitation and for demolishing dilapidated residential structures. It is designed to benefit low and moderate income families. All communities applying for a CDBG housing grant must complete the Housing Assessment Tool (HAT). Click here for the HAT form or contact the NCRPC Housing Director. Click here for a flyer with more information about the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation program.

Home Ownership Program
North Central Regional Planning Commission is proud to partner with local banks and charitable foundations to create and administer a new incentive program to make home ownership more affordable. Pilot communities and contacts here.

Housing Inspection Services
NCRPC housing inspectors are licensed or certified to provide a variety of inspection services for governmental entities and private property owners. To learn more about any of the following inspection services NCRPC offers or to request a bid, contact the NCRPC Housing Director.  Housing Quality Standards Inspection / Lead Based Paint Inspection / Lead Based Paint Risk Assessment / Lead Clearance Testing / Certified Asbestos Material Inspection / Demolition Inspection / Radon Testing Weatherization Inspection

Nuisance Abatement
The Nuisance Abatement Program helps communities deal with “nuisance” properties that are unsafe or not in compliance with ordinances. Common nuisances may include unlicensed, inoperable vehicles; uncontrolled weeds, grass, trees, and brush; buildings with broken windows or doors; outbuildings in disrepair; and garbage and other waste. In addition to these items being an eyesore for a community, many are also a threat to the health and safety of its citizens.

While some larger communities have code enforcement officers, many in the NCRPC region do not. This program gives communities access to this type of service on a contractual basis without the full staffing costs associated with such by using the NCRPC for third party assessment and oversight. Click here for a flyer with more information.

Intro to Nuisance Abatement
The Intro to Nuisance Abatement Program is designed for smaller communities with flexibility to be customized to meet specific circumstances and budgets. Just as with the full Nuisance Abatement Program, the community must adopt a comprehensive Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. The comprehensive Nuisance Abatement Ordinance, available from NCRPC, applies to all properties including commercial, residential, vacant or occupied. NCRPC staff provide impartial property assessments for the Intro to Nuisance Abatement Program and assist the city with program oversight. To keep costs lower, communities carry out administrative duties of the program. Click here for a flyer with more information.

Contractor Opportunities
We are currently seeking qualified housing and/or HVAC contractors to bid contract work for our housing programs. Opportunities exist for the Housing Rehabilitation and the Household Weatherization Assistance Programs. For more information, click here.

Household Weatherization Program
The North Central Regional Planning Commission operates a Weatherization Assistance Program that helps reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety. Funding for this program is provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Click here for more information about the Household Weatherization Program and how to apply.

STATE

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE – KDOC

SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
Allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community. To receive funds, a project must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria: 1.) The project benefits low- and moderate-income individuals. 2.) The project removes or prevents slum or blight condition.
3.) The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable. Community Development Block Grant Program

HOUSING REHABILITATION
Local units of government may apply for funds for Homeowner Rehabilitation, Rental Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Relocation and/or Demolition. The maximum grants are $400,000. Before a community considers a housing grants they MUST complete a Housing Assessment Tool (HAT) to determine their needs and are encouraged to attend a Housing Interagency Advisory Committee meeting.

HOUSING ASSESSMENT TOOL (HAT)
The HAT is a tool for applicants to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and priorities. By completing the HAT, applicants will become more aware and informed of their current housing inventory in order to develop relevant strategies for housing improvement that take into account the unique characteristics of the region or community. This is a requirement for CDBG housing rehabilitation applicants.

HOUSING INTERAGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE  (HIAC)
The purpose of the Housing Interagency Advisory Committee (HIAC) is to provide guidance and direction to communities seeking funding for housing projects. The committee also facilitates coordination and communication between agencies/organizations involved in housing projects and issues as they counsel those communities.


KANSAS HOUSING RESOURCES CORPORATION – KRHC
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation offers affordable housing opportunities to first-time homebuyers, renters, senior citizens, and other individuals with special needs who otherwise might not be able to afford quality housing. To learn more about the programs we offer, follow the links below. Brochure.


September 17-19, 2019
2019 KANSAS HOUSING CONFERENCE
Hyatt Regency
Wichita, KS
http://kshousingconference.org/

FEDERAL

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Multi-Family Housing Programs
We provide affordable multi-family rental housing in rural areas by financing projects geared for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers.  We preserve our portfolio of more than 14,000 properties by aggressively restructuring loans for existing rural rental housing and off-farm labor housing projects to allow for sufficient reserves to meet major repairs and improvements over the lifetime of the property.  On a yearly basis we provide grants to sponsoring organizations to repair or rehabilitate housing for needy families. We also subsidize rents for low-income tenants in our projects who cannot afford to pay their full rent. Rural Development Multi-Family Housing Programs:

Single Family Housing Programs
Well built, affordable housing is essential to the vitality of communities in rural America. Housing Programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, repair, or own safe and affordable homes located in rural America. Eligibility for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants is based on income and varies according to the average median income for each area.
Do you want to buy or build, repair or refinance your rural home? Check out the Single Family Housing Decision Map Infographic to get started.

Homeownership Programs
Low interest, fixed-rate Homeownership loans are provided to qualified persons directly by USDA Rural Development. Financing is also offered at fixed-rates and terms through a loan from a private financial institution and guaranteed by USDA Rural Development for qualified persons. Rural Development Single Family Housing Programs:

For more information about Single-Family Housing Programs or to find out if you are qualified contact your local USDA Rural Development office.



FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK – TOPEKA

COMMUNITY HOUSING PROGRAM
The CHP helps you finance owner-occupied and rental housing in your community at below market rates and various terms. FHLBank Topeka’s Community Housing Program (CHP) is a special advance program authorized by the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) Community Investment Cash Advance (CICA) regulations. The CHP provides wholesale loans (advances) priced below FHLBank’s regular advance rates to help finance owner-occupied and rental housing in their communities. This favorable pricing, coupled with the availability of funds in terms of four months to 30 years, helps lenders extend long-term, fixed rate credit for housing. Comparable funding for community and economic development loans is available through FHLBank’s Community Development Program (CDP) advances.

CHP ADVANCE PRODUCTS AND PROGRAMS

  • Regular fixed rate advances
  • Callable advances
  • Amortizing fixed rate advances
  • Adjustable rate advances

COMMON USES

  • Single-family home loans
  • ●      One-to-four family rental properties
  • ●      Multifamily rental projects

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM

The FHLBank system’s Affordable Housing Program is the largest privately funded housing grant program in the United States. FHLBank members, in partnership with public and private housing development organizations, prepare a detailed application for this competitive program. Read more.

HOMEOWNERSHIP SET-ASIDE PROGRAM (HSP)

The Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP) is a down payment assistance program designed to help first-time homebuyers purchase a home in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska or Oklahoma. Read more.

FEDERAL OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROGRAM – BELLEVILLE

Belleville’s census tract was designated a Federal Opportunity Zones in 2018. This is a new tool for community development. Established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones provide tax incentives for investment in designated census tracts. Kansas Opportunity Zones will support new investments in community redevelopment initiatives including agriculture, industry, environmental justice, sustainability, climate change, and affordable housing. Learn more here.

CONTACT
Luke Mahin – Director
Republic County Economic Development
785-374-3047
rced@nckcn.com