(KAIR)--A year-long comprehensive statewide housing needs assessment—the first of its kind undertaken in 27 years—is nearing completion, and Kansans are invited to learn about preliminary findings in a series of regional community meetings, including one planned in Atchison this week.
The study identifies current housing needs and growth opportunities, including goals to guide the state’s future housing development efforts.
Interim Atchison City Manager Justin Pregont, in an email announcing the study, said he “was fortunate enough to serve on the statewide technical committee guiding the completion of this study and Atchison is fortunate enough to be hosting one of the public presentations of the results.”
Ryan Vincent, Executive Director of Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, in a release, says with the information from the study, Kansas “can develop a data-driven approach to support growth and benchmarks” to track progress.
According to the release, Omaha-based consultancy, RDG Planning & Design, conducted the in-depth study over the past year. Analysis included a series of 71 virtual and in-person listening sessions with more than 425 community participants across the state, as well as meetings with housing stakeholder groups. Consultants conducted a statewide survey of more than 4,400 respondents and analyzed census data to develop a comprehensive picture of the state’s housing needs, current resources, and growth opportunities.
The findings revealed several key goals to address future housing needs, inlcluding: • Prioritize middle income housing • Diversify housing stock • Extend housing security • Reinvest in older housing stock, including vacant units • Address the building trades labor shortage • Extend existing human capital resources
Kansans are encouraged to learn more about the study’s results and how their communities can expand housing opportunities by participating in upcoming regional sessions, including a meeting planned Wednesday evening in Atchison. According to the release, that session will be held beginning at 5:30 in the USD 409 Community Room, located at 626 Commercial Street, in Atchison.
The release, which notes that the full report and recommendations will be published online following the statewide tour, explains that the state’s housing study was funded and administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, the state’s housing finance agency.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
One held for past Atchison shooting
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
LATEST STORIES
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
SE Nebraska March unemployment report
Falls City Career Academy to open during 24-25 school year
Denim Day declared for Nebraska state colleges
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday