Town Hall Meeting

Documenter name: Debbie Haslam

Agency: Wichita City - District Advisory Board 1

Date: July 30, 2024

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org

Lance Dixon, Real Property Specialist, led the meeting attended by Sarah Gooding Real Property Section Manager, Lynne Ogubere Real Property Specialist, an Atwater employee, community members Tracey Mason, Sr. and Holly Danley (who arrived late), and Council Member Brandon Johnson (also late due to a double booking).

Community Input:

Tracey Mason, Sr. emphasized the need for compassion and care in addressing city issues, expressing belief in viable city solutions.

Presentation Highlights:

Dixon began the meeting with a PowerPoint presentation covering several key topics:

1. Real Property Section Overview:

• The real property department was established in Fall 2022.
• They focus on affordable housing citywide.
• Initiatives include the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), home repair programs, and housing development.

2. Wichita Land Bank:

• This program focuses on the central city core for strategic community benefits.
• Two properties currently under the program are 2046 E. 9th and 1011 N. Ash, with four offers received.

3. Public Housing:

• Converting four public housing apartment complexes using Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program funds for remodeling and reopening.
• 352 single-family homes hope to be sold, with 154 homes approved by Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 61 units pending, and 88 scattered site units.
• 37 homes went to market in Fall 2023, 51 in Spring 2024.
• The program has already sold 29 homes, with 19 under contract.
• Open houses for marketing have been utilized, though staffing was insufficient to host all events.
• The city is contracting with real estate companies for brokerage services.

Affordable Housing Fund: - This was funded post-pandemic, with the primary focus on single-family housing rehabilitation. - There are measures in place that keep purchasers in line to prevent cheap flips. -

Advancement Areas:

• 57 vacant units (41 in Northeast Wichita, 16 in Southwest Wichita) needing significant rehab.
• The $2.7 million acquisition/renovation stage began Spring 2024.
•  Professional developers with home rehabilitation experience will be allowed to apply. They are required to show lists of rehabilitation plans for the homes they wish to purchase.
• Developers can apply for $40,000 per home, with strict rules to follow.
• Out of the 352 homes, only the 57 vacant units are limited to professional developers. The vast majority are intended to be sold to individuals without restrictions.
• Project-based vouchers are available; homes must be renovated within a year.

Concerns and Responses:

• Tracey Mason, Sr.: Questioned why individuals are excluded from purchasing homes in advancement areas.

• Gooding: Explained that only homes in advancement areas are restricted, to avoid setting individuals up for failure. Developers can't sell the homes beyond the current property value (after renovations), with any excess money returning to the Fund.
• Developers must designate upfront if the property will be meant for homeownership or rental. Marketing plans with affirmative marketing are required.

• Affordable Housing Fund Applications:

• Income-qualified homebuyers or renters apply directly to awarded professionals for the homes.
• The selection for which developers are selected to purchase is based on scores from the Affordable Housing Review Board.
• Low to moderate-income households are eligible.
• 0% interest loans available for down payment, not mortgage,  which can be up to 20% down, and $2,000 in closing costs.
• Habitat for Humanity offers 0% interest mortgage loan for 20 years for those who qualify.

Further Concerns:

• Mason, Sr.: Questioned long-term solutions to prevent houses from falling into disrepair again.

• Gooding: Public Housing has been around for decades; recent vacancies and external impacts have caused delays. HUD authority granted for selling homes began in Spring 2024.

• Marketing and Awareness: Mason, Sr. expressed concerns about marketing inclusivity.

• Gooding: Explained current tenants have the first opportunity to purchase any of the non-Advancement Area homes.

Program Timeline: Launched May 2024.

• Units were open for walkthroughs in May/June.
• Questions were due in June, answered via addendum in late June.
• Proposals from Developers were due in mid-July, with reviews and contracts awarded in late summer/early fall.
• Construction planned for 2024-2025.
• Construction needs to be completed within one year.

Feedback:

• Holly Danley: Questioned the program's reception by residents.

• Gooding: Acknowledged the program is overdue, with neighbors expressing frustration. The complexity of the AHF and restrictions to developers are not always well-received.
• Danley: Raised community concerns about livability and adequacy of developer rehabs.
• Gooding: Staff ensures proper rehabilitation. They are aiming to do things right.

The meeting concluded at 7:16 pm

Summary

Summarize the 3 most important outcomes or takeaways from your notes....

• The city has a real housing department that has been working with the 352 houses they own to help with making homes more affordable in Wichita.
• Residents who qualify can purchase most of these homes and can apply for assistance for down payments and closing costs.
• 56 homes are being offered to local developers through the Affordable Housing Fund to assist with rehabilitation and, in turn, more affordable houses for Wichitans.

Follow-Up Questions

What are you left wondering? Ask up to 3 of your own follow-up questions...

•  How does the Real Housing department plan to ensure that all rehabilitation plans are followed?
• As Mason, Sr. asked, what does the city have in place to ensure that the problem with these homes doesn’t happen again in the future.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.