Providing affordable housing is a constant goal for Lawrence city government. Now, a committee is asking the city to do their part in helping them make that happen.
In April, the Neighborhood Resources Advisory Committee will propose that the city waive fees associated with water and wastewater development in two new Lawrence housing developments. Tenants to Homeowners and Lawrence Habitat for Humanity are overseeing the construction of the two developments, which will provide 10 and 16 houses for low-income families and first-time homebuyers.
“The city often touts its desire to do what it can to help create affordable_ housing, and since the city is responsible for the city's water service, it seemed like a good idea for the city to absorb the hook-up costs and in turn allow the NRAC to allocate more funds to other projects,” said Michael Randolph, NRAC Chairperson.
Waving the water fees would mean the city would install water meters for the homes free of charge. These meters typically cost about $3,000. Without needing to pay this fee, the two organizations can sell the homes at a more affordable rate.
“That three to four thousand really makes a difference to low income buyers,” said Rebecca Buford, Executive Director of Tenants to Homeowners.
Tenants to Homeowners is hoping to put the free meters into 10 new homes in the Brooke Creek Neighborhood near Haskell Avenue. Construction on the homes is slated to begin this spring and will be completed within two years.
Jean Lilley, Executive Director of Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, said that the organization is currently constructing 16 homes in the Comfort Neighborhood in north Lawrence, creating streets Comfort Lane and Comfort Court. Habitat for Humanity will install the free meters in these homes if the proposal is approved. Lilley said that water related fees are a finance that the city could easily accommodate.
“It seemed like one of the things the city would be interested in helping us with because they provide the water,” Lilley said.
The city operates programs to develop more affordable housing for Lawrence residents, such as the Housing Trust Fund Board, and the Housing Needs Task Force, which includes city commissioner Dennis Highberger as a member. Buford of Tenants to Homeowners is also a member of the task force. Lesley Rigney, Neighborhood Program Specialist for the city of Lawrence, works as the city liaison to the NRAC. Rigney said that the funding would be a good way for the city to help.
“The city has an ongoing focus and commitment to further affordable housing development, especially ways that won’t cost the city money,” Rigney said.
The NRAC is allotted money from the city and works to decide what to do with it. Each year, different groups apply for funding for their specific causes. Randolph said that the NRAC is involved with Tenants to Homeowners every year, and is involved with Habitat for Humanity periodically depending on their needs. In the past, the NRAC has supported the organizations with money from Community Development Block Grant funds. This is the first year the committee is asking the city to waive fees.
Tenants to Homeowners is a local non-profit organization that has partnered with the city since 1992. Buford said that the organization has been responsible for the construction of over 250 homes since it began operating, all of which have gone to low-income families. The organization also operates the Land and Housing Trust Program, in which first-time homebuyers buy the house but lease the land underneath it. This allows the organization to keep the property and sell it to other first-time homebuyers.