The director of the local Habitat for Humanity organization is frustrated by the city’s handling of a funding change that led to the pause of a home repair program.
Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills announced this week that it is pausing its Home Repair program in Manhattan. The home repair program helps low-income “workforce” households pay for needed improvements.
That change is a result of Manhattan city government pausing its Community Development Block Grant housing rehab program, which meant the Habitat Program wouldn’t get city funding.
“Having worked with families in our community who rely on this critical funding for accessibility ramps, HVAC repairs, roof replacements, and other life safety repairs for the past three years, I understand the importance of these federal funds in the lives of my neighbors, and I am determined to find a new solution for affordable home repair services for the working families in our community,” said Habitat executive director Josh Brewer in a statement.
He said the city government did not announce the change publicly prior to the dismissal of the program’s senior grant administrator and CDBG housing rehabilitation inspector, and officials haven’t discussed the program’s future.
“That program provides money to homeowners in our community that provides access to $25,000 for critical repair on homes,” Brewer said to KMAN on Thursday. “And what that homeowner has to do in return is promise they stay in that home for 10 years, and the loan is paid off.”
“We are committed to finding a way forward and ensuring that support for our community is not diminished,” said Thomas Weeks, Habitat board of directors chairman, in a statement. “While we recognize the budgetary challenges faced by the city, the lack of communication and abrupt interruption of funding will place an undue strain on those we serve. We believe that safe and affordable housing deserves a higher priority and are disappointed in the message city administrators are sending to our community.”
The program assisted 227 homeowners between 1999 and 2016.
Brewer said funding from alternative sources remains for those households earning less than 50% of the area median income until funds are exhausted, likely by the end of the calendar year.
