WICHITA, Kan. – The Kansas Health Foundation recently provided a $50,000 grant to Wichita Habitat for Humanity to expand the reach of its home repair program that serves low-income homeowners, ensuring more people can live in safe, affordable housing.
Wichita Habitat for Humanity’s home repair projects include large-scale exterior work, small-scale energy efficiency work and making homes ADA accessible. The goal is to bring homeowners to basic safety standards and housing quality.
“I’m thankful that the Kansas Health Foundation chose to invest in our home repair program,” said Danielle Johnson, executive director of Wichita Habitat for Humanity. “It’s the perfect collaboration because the Kansas Health Foundation’s mission is to improve the health of all Kansans. They envision a culture in which every Kansan can make healthy choices where they live, work and play. Wichita Habitat envisions a world where everyone has a decent place to live. These missions go hand in hand.”
The need for home repairs by low-income homeowners is great. Nearly 200 people applied to Wichita Habitat’s home repair program in 2021. Many applicants are aging in place and fall within lower socioeconomic status making basic home repairs impossible.
“We look forward to expanding our reach and working alongside homeowners who are looking to maintain their homes but might not have the access,” Johnson said. “Homeowners across Sedgwick County deserve the opportunity to have pride in their homes and a thriving community.”
“KHF is proud to support Wichita Habitat for Humanity’s work to ensure Sedgwick County residents have access to safe, stable, affordable homes, all of which are linked to better health outcomes,” said Junetta Everett, vice chair of the Kansas Health Foundation Board of Directors. “The work that they do while applying an equity lens contributes to quality of life for so many families, which helps to address health disparities related to social and economic factors.”
The Kansas Health Foundation is based in Wichita, but statewide in its focus. With a mission to improve the health of all Kansans, KHF envisions a culture in which every Kansan can make healthy choices where they live, work and play. During the past 35 years, KHF has provided more than $600 million in grants to improve health in Kansas communities. Visit kansashealth.org to learn more.
Wichita Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian organization that brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat homeowners build their homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Wichita Habitat is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and has served more than 300 families through new home construction and home in the Wichita community since its founding in 1986. For more information, please visit www.wichitahabitat.org.