Wichita Journalism Collaborative

08/29/2024

Landlords, tenants and housing assistance nonprofits say inflation, rising rents, and the end of pandemic assistance contributed to the increase in eviction filings. Read more from Celia Hack, a reporter with our partner KMUW.

KMUW | By Celia Hack Landlords, tenants and housing assistance nonprofits say inflation, rising rents and the end of pandemic assistance contributed to the increase in filings. Khanh Kim Nguyen, a local landlord, and three of her tenants were in Sedgwick County eviction court on the morning of

08/29/2024

TODAY AT 2 p.m.! The Sunflower, our partner, is hosting a panel to help you become an informed rental. The panel includes an attorney from Kansas Legal Services and a representative from Consumer Credit Counseling. You'll learn how to budget for housing, food and utilities. Join us TODAY, Aug. 29, from 2-3 p.m. in the East Beggs Ballroom, 3rd floor of the Rhatigan Center and Wichita State University.

08/28/2024

Wichita Journalism Collaborative journalists and Kansas Leadership Center's The Journal were invited to share their insights from covering housing topics at the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation's conference in Overland Park. Besides a panel discussion, there was an interactive session so participants could learn practical strategies for facilitating productive community conversations on housing-related topics. We appreciate the opportunity to drive positive change in our state's housing landscape! KMUW, The Beacon Kansas City

08/28/2024

Be an informed renter! The Sunflower, our partner, is hosting a panel to help you. The panel includes an attorney from Kansas Legal Services and a representative from Consumer Credit Counseling. You'll also learn how to budget for housing, food and utilities? Join us Thursday, Aug. 29, from 2-3 p.m. in the East Beggs Ballroom, 3rd floor of the Rhatigan Center and Wichita State University.

08/28/2024

Claudia Amaro is one of our Wichita Journalism Collaborative partners! Congratulations, Claudia, on the opportunity to share your knowledge and why it matters!

Happy to speak at this amazing conference in a few days 🙏🏼❤️📰🗞️

08/28/2024

Funding was approved for Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Large Enterprise and Residential Housing Solutions LLC for public housing renovations through the Affordable Housing Fund, with Project Prosperity being declined due to property overlaps.

Funding was approved for 3 of the 4 applicants for public housing renovations through the Affordable Housing Fund, with Project Prosperity being declined due to property overlaps. The board discussed evaluation methods and encouraged declined applicants to reapply in the future.

Notes by Documenter Charlie Tannehill https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JvQO_YAWQEVUres968VoBENWUB-8r7QSarVoVW0RiEw/pub

08/27/2024

Several business owners and city officials met at Norton’s Brewing Company to discuss the city's parking plan. Business owners voiced concerns about potential customer loss and financial impact, while city officials emphasized the need to decide on cost distribution.

Notes by Documenter Debbie Haslam https://docs.google.com/document/d/167FWlzeP2c6Y2QH8GoYJhicv31MpVxUWkr1UHIF3pWY/pub

08/27/2024

What are your rights as a renter? How do you budget for housing, food and utilities? The Sunflower, our partner, is hosting a panel to provide the answers. The panel includes an attorney from Kansas Legal Services and a representative from Consumer Credit Counseling. Join us Thursday, Aug. 29, from 2-3 p.m. in the East Beggs Ballroom, 3rd floor of the Rhatigan Center and Wichita State University.

08/22/2024

A real estate expert said new apartments aren’t helping the market because we’ve been in a deficit of new builds since 2008. But, the need for housing goes beyond numbers. Local nonprofits say it impacts their operations. Learn why in this report from our partner KSN TV https://wichitajournalism.org/2024/08/22/despite-more-housing-wichita-seeing-a-10-increase-in-rent/

08/22/2024

Wichita’s emergency winter shelter aims to open around Thanksgiving. This will be the first project of three for a fully developed multi-agency center. Read more from our Partner Kansas Leadership Center's The Journal.

This will be the first of three projects for a fully developed multi-agency center.

08/20/2024

Join The Sunflower, our partner, for a panel discussion aimed at equipping college students, and anyone for that matter, with essential knowledge to navigate the world of renting. A representative from Consumer Credit Counseling Services will be there to shed light on the importance of credit scores and offer tips on budgeting for housing and other essentials.
Ask questions! Learn valuable insights! Enjoy some free snacks! Thursday, August 29 from 2-3 p.m. in the Beggs Ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center at WSU.

08/19/2024

The Wichita Journalism Collaborative congratulates Stefania Lugli, reporter for the Kansas Leadership Center's The Journal. She was been named one of just five national finalists in the Best Investigative Journalism, Small Division category for the 2024 Nonprofit News Awards. Stefania's focus is housing and her story on Wichita's winter homeless shelter showcases the essential role of local journalism in addressing overlooked issues. Winners will be announced in Atlanta on September 18.

08/18/2024

Wichita’s 2024 point-in-time count showed the city has at least 691 homeless people – a number lower than organizers and volunteers believe it to be. From our partner, Kansas Leadership Center's The Journalhttps://klcjournal.com/point-in-time-homeless-count/

State data released Wednesday shows a nearly 7% increase from last year. We look at how this data helps communities plan strategically.

08/16/2024

Wonder what we've been learning about housing in Wichita? Reporters Stefania Lugli, Celia Hack, Joe Stumpe and Phyllis J Griekspoor share their learnings, challenges and the "why" behind their reporting.

Here is what journalists in Wichita have learned from focusing on housing issues

08/16/2024

Wichita is selling its 352 single-family public housing units. It has already sold many of the houses to both homeowners and investors without restrictions. The city set aside roughly 60 homes – about 40 in northeast Wichita and 20 in southwest Wichita – that it hopes to keep affordable long-term. Read more from our partner KMUW

The city of Wichita set aside $5 million in COVID recovery money for an Affordable Housing Fund, which is meant to fund the renovation of public housing units. The city is currently selling its single-family public housing units.

08/16/2024

Congratulations to our Wichita Journalism Collaborative partner the Wichita Eagle for winning the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for the documentary on the Marion raid! The award is significant in so many ways - including that a small regional staff was recognized alongside many nationally recognized media outlets.

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article291100095.html =cpy

The award was for “Unwarranted: The Senseless Death of Journalist Joan Meyer,” a film by Wichita Eagle visual journalists Jaime Green and Travis Heying.

08/07/2024

Check out the latest notes from Wichita Documenters from the city's Affordable Housing Review Board Meeting.

The Board heard presentations from four applicants for the Affordable Housing Fund, proposing projects in Wichita's Southwest and Northeast Advancement Areas, with detailed plans on community involvement, timelines, and affordability. Highlights included Large Enterprise's proposal for 20 homes and Project Prosperity's holistic engagement programs.

Notes by Documenter Cindy Tannehill https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6kTLx_ggZw_SxSL1iIl4dCsDqMJgjfKGhVbKAGiWaA/pub

08/07/2024

After the City of Wichita- Government sold its public housing, tenants were given a choice: move out or purchase the unit. Lawonder Markham decided to purchase her home — it’s where she raised her daughter, where she took care of her mother until she died and where she’s lived since 2003. "I get to keep my memories," she told Loren Amelunke, who is the Summer 2024 intern with the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.

After the City of Wichita sold its public housing, tenants were given a choice: move out or purchase the unit. Lawonder Markham decided to purchase her home, which she was scared of losing. By Loren Amelunke Lawonder Markham’s home is her comfort place — it’s where she raised her daughter, wh

08/07/2024

Our partner Claudia Amaro, owner of AB&C Bilingual Resources and Planeta Venus, shared how she's fostering better communication and outreach to the growing Latino community in Kansas. She shared her inspiring journey at the Wichita Professional Communicators event today. Planeta Venus is not just distributed in Wichita - communities all over Kansas have asked for it!

08/06/2024

Experts say fire risk concerns are overblown and that EVs are less likely to catch fire than gasoline-burning vehicles. The idea for this story by our partner The Beacon Wichita came from notes taken during a meeting of the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board by Wichita Documenters, a program that pays local residents to attend and cover local meetings.

Experts say EVs are less likely to catch fire than gasoline-burning vehicles.

08/06/2024

Danielle Lenz and her son used to live in public housing but had to move because the city is selling its public housing stock. Lenz shares her experience with Celia Hack, a reporter with our partner KMUW

Twenty-two tenants have taken the rental voucher and are safely in new housing.

08/05/2024

At a time when there aren’t nearly enough reporters to cover all the public meetings they used to attend what if a small army of citizens could be recruited to attend and make a record of those meetings?That's the idea behind the Wichita Documenters. Learn more from our partner the Active Age

By Joe Stumpe The journalism industry is in crisis, and there aren’t nearly enough reporters around to cover all the public meetings they used to attend. So what if a small army of citizens could be recruited to attend and make a record of those meetings? That’s kind of the idea behind Wich

08/02/2024

Lance Dixon presented on the Real Property Section's initiatives specifically focusing on Affordable Housing efforts. He spoke on the application and selection processes, while addressing concerns from community members about accessibility and transparency in the housing programs.

Notes by Debbie Haslam https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTPuncSDz135ENM8s1R4FdJzDQs3OI1FAadrIUbHEanEt9_pQEf8E80Ho1FVOYLIR7Ua6fWbya2ZAqz/pub

07/31/2024

Voters in Sedgwick County could be asked next year to support a new sales tax that would fund arts, culture and recreation programming. In REALITY CHECK Matthew Kelly of the Wichita Eagle looks at whether a sales tax could reduce property taxes. Read more from our partner

Voters in Sedgwick County could be asked next year to support a new sales tax that would fund arts, culture and recreation programming.

07/31/2024

Do everything you can to stay out of court or to settle without an eviction order - that was the key message at the Urban League's housing workshop. Learn more here

The Urban League’s Evictions Basics workshop outlined the consequences of an eviction order.

07/30/2024

With this week's severe heat, where can people who are homeless find water and shelter? Loren Amelunke, the Wichita Journalism Collaborative's reporter, looks at the
options available. But what’s the balance between meeting immediate needs and connecting individuals with resources for the long haul?

A local Facebook group is working to increase public access to water, and the city says people can shelter in the library and other city facilities during the day. But what’s the balance between meeting immediate needs and connecting individuals with resources for the long haul? By Loren Amelunke

07/30/2024

Wichita Documenters are keeping the community informed! They attended the MAPC meeting where key zoning changes were approved, including the conversion of the former Park Elementary School into a Multi-Agency Center to support the homeless. Check it out!

At the latest MAPC meeting, key zoning changes were approved, including the conversion of the former Park Elementary School into a Multi-Agency Center to support the homeless. The commission also discussed concerns over new developments in the Midtown and 127th Street areas.

Notes by Documenter Judy Winters https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRXnE57z3_ZoPdyoQmQM8K8hbfMWPGA8kkt7lebH06xYEjvZ2PkihswTyEo8BxEJbroxyg3yYNqHpC7/pub

07/30/2024

Look what our partner the Wichita Public Library has going on! Connect to fast wifi and check out our affordable housing coverage at https://wichitajournalism.org/, charge your device, and browse Wichita Public Library’s collection of eBooks and audiobooks.

07/30/2024

New purpose for a crumbling mansion: The Sternberg mansion has been a private residence, a boarding house, and a weekend handyman project over the past 138 years. It now is a sober living house. Read more from Denise Neil, a reporter with our partner the Wichita Eagle.

The Sternberg Mansion has at various times served as a private residence, a boarding house, and a weekend handyman project,