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Author: Denise May
Issue: 2008 August

Who do you turn to when you can’t afford to feel safe in your own home? Afraid old wiring will cause a fire. Worrying if the next snowfall will cause your roof to collapse. Or, if you’re suddenly handicapped, struggling to navigate a narrow hall just to use your bathroom. For many of these desperate city residents, Shawnee Urban Renewal is returning the joy of home ownership.

“The goal of the city’s housing rehabilitation program is to create safe, decent and affordable housing in the City of Shawnee,” said Mike Wolf, Program Manager of the Shawnee Urban Renewal Authority.

Since 1974, Shawnee has received annual Community Development Block Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds are available in the form of loans and grants to qualified home owners. A 5-year mortgage is placed on the home. Depending upon particular circumstances, that loan is either partially or completely forgiven if the owner resides in the home for all five years.

Wolf said that Shawnee Urban Renewal is receiving less money than in years past and the amount they do receive is being stretched further.

“We’ve seen funding drastically decrease, as much as 25–30% of the last five years,” said Wolf. “Inflation and the increase in construction costs also contribute to the situation. We used to do a complete rehab for about $12–$15,000. Today, it takes more than $30,000 to make necessary repairs and improvements.”

Wolf said three Shawnee residents who received emergency repairs are typical examples of the people they have been able to help.

Joanne, a working mother, bought an older home in Shawnee but soon discovered she couldn’t afford to pay the high utility bills that began to arrive.

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