Greensburg - American Planning Association

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS
For some families the only wat to rebuild
in Greensburg is to enter into complex
funding partnerships with local, state
and federal agencies and organizations.
There are some good examples of these
partnerships already established in
Greensburg. For example USDA Rural
Development and the United Way of the
Plains (Wichita, KS) entered into a firstever
fund leveraging partnership to
allow the City of Greensburg to pay for
home-building oversight, provided by
Mennonite Housing Services, to support
the construction of up to fifty (50)
affordable, single-family homes.
Additionally, fourteen local and regional
partners assisted with this important
housing recovery effort. These new
homes will be built by their owners with
the assistance of volunteer labor being
provided by the business, faith-based,
non-profit sectors, will be designed to
be highly energy efficient and include a
full basement with safe room.
By combining USDA loan and grant
programs with Mennonite Housing and
the homeowner’s sweat equity, the final
home price will be an affordable
$60,000, half of what it would
otherwise cost to build a new home in
Greensburg. This would never have
been possible without the creative
partnerships and efforts of the
participating organizations.
There could also be private partnerships
between residents and businesses to
build mixed-use projects or between
two families to create duplex or
townhouse projects. One roof is more
economical than two, and if appropriate
partnerships are fostered, there is an
immense opportunity to combine
projects and reduce costs for both
parties involved. In Greensburg,
business owners historically lived above
their storefronts in loft like apartments.
It is the recommendation of this plan
that a modern take on the old efficiency
be encouraged in Greensburg. A local
lending institution could draft a sample
private partnership contract and help
identify parameters and income
requirements for these projects to
ensure neither party is left footing the
entire bill.
consideration it is likely that many of
Greensburg’s current residents will not
be able to rebuild. It is recommended
that Greensburg organize a housing
workshop with all funding partners to
review which programs are working and
identify potential areas for greater
cooperation.
Funding Programs
There are dozens of funding mechanisms
available to those rebuilding homes in
Greensburg. From loans and grants,
subsidized down payment programs,
first time homebuyer incentives, and
energy efficiency tax credits to
emergency funds, the programs are
varied and complex. Some of the funding
mechanisms can be combined and some
cannot, creating a system that can be
frustrating to those building and
financing a home for the first time. A
Housing Resource Coordinator position
was recently hired to help residents
decipher the many programs available
and understand where to start. This
individual will direct citizens toward
resources and assist in the coordination
of housing issues. In addition, the USDA
has representatives in Greensburg to
answer questions about that
organization’s programs. For at least
another year, many residents will need
the direct assistance of a resource
coordinator or another on-the-ground
resource and it is recommended that
the City continue to offer personal
assistance through links from the City
website, City staff, or supporting the
continued efforts of the current
Housing Resource Coordinator. One
possible model for this recommended
City service is “Beyond Housing”, an
organization in St. Louis that helps
educate low-income families about their
housing options. A similar organization
in Greensburg could help assist all new
homeowners with a focus on lowincome
families.
The Green House in North Charleston South
Caroline is used as an example and learning tool
for the community.
There are hundreds of ways that new
buildings can be looked at in more
economical ways, and if these
partnerships are not a strong
housing 99