HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Housing Commission will receive proposals to spend a significant amount of its ARPA allocation at its meeting on Wednesday.
According to agenda documents, the Housing Commission received $308,000 in ARPA funds to advance housing initiatives in Hutchinson. As of April 2024, the Housing Commission has approved a total of $82,000 in programming.
Director of Strategic Growth, Dave Sotelo has asked for approval of three specific requests on Wednesday.
1. Urban3: $30,000
• Recommendation: Given the importance of data-driven decisionmaking in urban planning, allocating funds to Urban3 will enable the city to gather crucial insights into housing trends and community development strategies. This investment aligns with the goal of creating sustainable and equitable housing solutions.
2. Interfaith Demolition Program: $27,500
• Recommendation: Supporting the Interfaith Demolition Program is vital for addressing blight and revitalizing neighborhoods. By allocating funds to this program, the city can expedite the removal of derelict properties, paving the way for future redevelopment efforts and enhancing the overall livability of the city.
3. SCKEDD: $75,000
• Recommendation: SCKEDD’s innovative resurgence program is addressing a critical need in the holistic housing efforts. These funds will be used to make further enhancements to properties including sidewalk and paint improvements.
If the approval of these projects goes through Wednesday, a balance of $93,500 will remain.
Sotelo said city staff is diligently examining the existing gaps within the housing ecosystem to devise innovative recommendations for the allocation of these funds.
"We are committed to maximizing the impact of every dollar to address pressing housing needs and foster a more inclusive and resilient community," Sotelo said.
The Hutchinson Housing Commission will meet Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers Workroom at 125 E. Avenue B.
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