Latest news with #TopekaHousingAuthority
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Far from cutting affordable housing in Kansas, we could use more resources for those in need
Government housing assistance provides a vital lifeline for Kansans, writes columnist Rebecca Phillips. (Getty Images) I have a dear friend who I have helped with different issues over the years. She is a disabled senior with limited eyesight, and she also has no car. I met her about 11 years ago, and while I am much younger we care about each other. About four years ago, I recommended that she sign up for a program I had heard about — Section 8. That's a housing assistance program funded by the federal government in which individuals in need — those who qualify — can apply and receive help in paying for a house or an apartment whose landlord takes the Section 8 voucher. I told my friend: 'You should sign up for this. It may take a while to hear from them but I think it's a good program.' I picked her up and drove her to the Topeka Housing Authority office, where she picked up an application. It took a couple of years for her name to come up on the list, but she was approved. It was just in time because her rent at her apartment was about to go sky high, and she couldn't afford to pay. Without the Section 8 voucher, who knows what she would have done. That is why when I read about proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $32.9 billion, along with the idea of creating a grant program to send rental assistance funds to the states, my heart grieved over the precious lives this would affect. The people who work at the Topeka Housing Authority are very special people, including the vice president of rental assistance programs, Annette Brown. They work hard to make sure those with limited incomes, the disabled and seniors find safe, affordable housing. We are in a time when homelessness is at an all-time high. If anything, we need more funding for housing programs, including those beyond Section 8. I attended a meeting for the public in which the former executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission discussed homelessness and how so many individuals who grew up traumatized or experienced trauma as adults often end up homeless. Barry Feaker has a true heart for the homeless and has dedicated his life to the issue. People such as Theresa Douthart and Sehera Hays at the Topeka nonprofit organization Breakthrough House give of themselves to help assist clients to find housing. Robert Sanders, chair of the board of directors for Breakthrough House, works at the Topeka Rescue Mission and he helps the individuals there find employment and work on job skills. His work is vital and much needed. When I think of the Section 8 program, I think of my good friend who might have had nowhere to go if she had not received her voucher. These people are good folks who need shelter. It's time to make sure they get to stay in their dwellings and to continue to provide the funding they need to live a productive life. The time is now to help those in need of a place to live. I worked as a volunteer writer at the international headquarters of Habitat for Humanity in 1997 for a brief time, and I saw people from all over come together to help those who I believe are God's children. Let's be the light of Heaven to folks who would otherwise be homeless. Let's offer hope. It's needed more now than ever before. Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Far from cutting affordable housing in Kansas, we could use more resources for those in need
Government housing assistance provides a vital lifeline for Kansans, writes columnist Rebecca Phillips. (Getty Images) I have a dear friend who I have helped with different issues over the years. She is a disabled senior with limited eyesight, and she also has no car. I met her about 11 years ago, and while I am much younger we care about each other. About four years ago, I recommended that she sign up for a program I had heard about — Section 8. That's a housing assistance program funded by the federal government in which individuals in need — those who qualify — can apply and receive help in paying for a house or an apartment whose landlord takes the Section 8 voucher. I told my friend: 'You should sign up for this. It may take a while to hear from them but I think it's a good program.' I picked her up and drove her to the Topeka Housing Authority office, where she picked up an application. It took a couple of years for her name to come up on the list, but she was approved. It was just in time because her rent at her apartment was about to go sky high, and she couldn't afford to pay. Without the Section 8 voucher, who knows what she would have done. That is why when I read about proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $32.9 billion, along with the idea of creating a grant program to send rental assistance funds to the states, my heart grieved over the precious lives this would affect. The people who work at the Topeka Housing Authority are very special people, including the vice president of rental assistance programs, Annette Brown. They work hard to make sure those with limited incomes, the disabled and seniors find safe, affordable housing. We are in a time when homelessness is at an all-time high. If anything, we need more funding for housing programs, including those beyond Section 8. I attended a meeting for the public in which the former executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission discussed homelessness and how so many individuals who grew up traumatized or experienced trauma as adults often end up homeless. Barry Feaker has a true heart for the homeless and has dedicated his life to the issue. People such as Theresa Douthart and Sehera Hays at the Topeka nonprofit organization Breakthrough House give of themselves to help assist clients to find housing. Robert Sanders, chair of the board of directors for Breakthrough House, works at the Topeka Rescue Mission and he helps the individuals there find employment and work on job skills. His work is vital and much needed. When I think of the Section 8 program, I think of my good friend who might have had nowhere to go if she had not received her voucher. These people are good folks who need shelter. It's time to make sure they get to stay in their dwellings and to continue to provide the funding they need to live a productive life. The time is now to help those in need of a place to live. I worked as a volunteer writer at the international headquarters of Habitat for Humanity in 1997 for a brief time, and I saw people from all over come together to help those who I believe are God's children. Let's be the light of Heaven to folks who would otherwise be homeless. Let's offer hope. It's needed more now than ever before. Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Timberlee residents set to move from unsafe living conditions
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Many people who live at the Timberlee Apartment Complex plagued with safety and sanitation problems can soon move to a better living situation. Topeka's Public Health and Safety Committee gave an update on things at their monthly meeting Wednesday, Feb 26. Starting in early March, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) representatives will be on site to help people find new housing. Topeka leader works to get homeless camps cleaned up 27 News spoke with several residents about the situation. One woman who has lived at Timberlee for four years said it's unfair tenants have to endure this. And now, some have to deal with the uncertainty of qualifying for supported relocation. 'It's tough, we kind of have to rely on ourselves and our neighbors to help when something breaks,' resident Makenzy Davis said. 'It's tough living here. You obviously have to be eligible, so we're all just waiting to find out if we're accepted or not.' HUD is issuing emergency vouchers to qualified renters and providing some moving costs. The Topeka Housing Authority says Timberlee residents must stay in their apartments until then to qualify. Timberlee management told 27 News Wednesday that they're working with HUD and the Topeka Housing Authority during this transition. They say efforts to relocate renters is going smoothly. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
