TOPEKA – Ten non-profits and public housing authorities across the state will receive approximately 1.1- million dollars in Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) to help Kansas families obtain safe, affordable housing of their choice. Funded through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), TBRA helps income-eligible households afford rental subsidies, utility deposits and security deposits.
“A home provides a sense of safety and security, enriching the resident’s quality of life and creating strong neighborhoods where Kansas families can grow and share,” said Carolyn Rebek, TBRA Program Manager. “This program assists families including those who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.”
Providing up to two years of rental subsidy assistance, the funds help income-eligible households obtain affordable rental housing in their communities. Rental assistance is based on the eligible tenant’s selection of a unit from all available rental units in the community that fall within rent guidelines and pass Housing Quality Inspection Standards. Households served may include those meeting agency preferences such as single parents, victims of domestic violence, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Households generally pay no more than 30 percent of their income for rent. Security and utility deposit assistance may also be available.
Awarded annually, TBRA grants are based on a community’s housing needs, the number of households estimated to be served and the organization’s experience in administering TBRA funding. Public housing authorities and non-profit organizations may apply for grants of up to $300,000.
HOME TBRA differs from other types of HOME rental housing activities in two key ways. TBRA programs utilize HOME funds to help individual households rather than subsidizing new affordable rental projects, and TBRA assistance varies based on the size and income of the household, and the rent standard.
The recipients of 2011 TBRA awards in our area include the Breakthrough Club for 97-thousand, 176-dollars, this through the city of Wichita and Sedgwick County, and rental assistance, security and utility deposits for Prairie View Inc., for 70-thousand dollars in Harvey, Marion and McPherson Counties
Grant awards will begin November 1, 2011.
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is a public corporation that finances and develops affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents throughout Kansas. We serve as the primary administrator of federal housing programs on behalf of the State of Kansas. For more information about KHRC’S Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, visit their website at www.kshousingcorp.org.