By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The first stages of two new housing proposals were approved by Hays city commissioners during their Thursday meeting.
The local nonprofit Epworth Village is asking for a 15-month exclusive option for the city-owned property at 26th and Main, south of Astra Bank, to build low-income housing.
The option would allow Epworth to raise money for a high-density housing project on the 2.1 acres, Greg Daughhetee, president of Epworth Village, Inc earlier told the commission.
If Epworth is successful in raising funds and city commissioners approve the project layout/design, the city would donate the land for the project.
Epworth plans to pursue federal low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC). The latest housing needs assessment for Hays lists housing for low-income residents as the city’s highest need.
Epworth Village has provided low-income housing for many years at two locations in Hays, Epworth Village, 2700 Epworth St., and Epworth Towers, 2800 Augusta Lane.
Moderate income housing
PWC Management, Hays, purchased a 7.2 acre tract of property north of Felten Elementary School, 201 W. 29th, where it plans to build residential housing.
As part of the process, PWC is applying for a $600,000 moderate-income housing grant, requiring a resolution of support from the city, which commissioners also approved.
The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation administers the moderate-income housing program.
The grant would provide down payment assistance for 20 of the proposed 30 single-family residences to be built. PWC also plans to apply for a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits, which will be considered at future city commission meetings.
Economic Development Policy revisions
City commissioners approved an updated draft of the city’s Economic Development Policy. The policy was last reviewed in 2024, with changes being made last in 2021.
The updates "clean things up" and are non-substantive, Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager, said.
Committee appointments
Commissioners approved appointments of Brian Garrett, Jim Schreiber and Matthew Wheeler to the Property Maintenance Appeals Board, and Angelica Southard of Hilton Garden Inn to a three-year term on the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee.
You can watch the entire Oct. 8 Hays City Commission meeting below, courtesy of Nex-Tech.