Rental Housing Programs

Kansas currently has over 412 rental housing facilities in Kansas, providing apartment-style living to 6,600 tenants. Multifamily housing consists of apartment complexes for elderly, family, and mixed populations. Group homes for special populations, such as the developmentally disabled are also available. There are units available at most sites for persons with physical disabilities. Tenants must be of very low, low or moderate income to qualify. There may be waiting lists for open apartments at some sites. All projects are managed by managers hired by the owners.

515 Program

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations, limited profit entities, consumer cooperatives and public bodies such as housing authorities to build and operate economically-designed and constructed rental housing and related facilities. This is the original program for multifamily housing. Funds for new construction have been very limited in recent years and applicants must qualify through a point system to be eligible. For development information, contact Virginia Hammersmith, MFH Coordinator at 785-271-2720 or email virginia.hammersmith@ks.usda.gov

538 Program

This new program promises to produce new, affordable rental housing in many areas not previously eligible for multifamily housing. Qualified lenders and housing providers are now able to propose rental complexes that will serve a wide range of income levels to better serve rural residents. The lender is expected to service any loan it underwrites. The Rural Housing Service, in turn, agrees to pay a maximum of 90 percent of the outstanding principal and interest mortgage balance in case of default. For more information, contact Virginia Hammersmith, Multifamily Coordinator at 785-271-2720 or email virginia.hammersmith@ks.usda.gov

Farm Labor Housing

This program is to develop and repair existing housing complexes for farm workers and migrant laborers. Eligible applicants include non-profits, public bodies and individual farmers. Terms are 1% interest on a 33 year amortization. Application period occurs once a year. Announcement of the application time table is published once a year in the Federal Register in the form of a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). For more information contact Virginia Hammersmith, at 785-271-2720 or email virginia.hammersmith@ks.usda.gov

Opportunities for Tenants

Information regarding availability of rental housing units in your area can be obtained from the nearest Rural Development Area Office. (Field Office Map)