The county of Stafford and Stafford County Economic Development have been developing a housing project for the last year and a half. The housing grant submitted to Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) in June 2023 was given award notice in October 2023 with the projected start date to build nine houses in early 2024. Eco Devo Director Ryan Russell said the time has now arrived for that project to begin with building houses in St. John and Stafford, respectively.
With Housing Opportunities Inc. as the general contractor, Stafford County Economic Development has been able to keep 85 percent of the contracts for the first two houses inside Stafford County. Five of the nine homes will be built in St. John, and the other four will be built in Stafford. Construction has already started at 303 W. Morrell in Stafford. The next home will be constructed at 413 W. 2nd Street in St. John. The other seven houses are currently in the bidding process and construction will begin shortly after bidding is completed.
Grant funding is provided by KHRC with the county of Stafford, city of Stafford, and city of St. John investing into this housing project. Part of the KHRC funding is in the form of tax credits. SJN Bank of Kansas is also providing a loan with a favorable interest rate to help spur growth in the county.
Although construction has started, Stafford County Economic Development, with Housing Opportunities Inc., will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on May 1 at 743 W. Broadway in Stafford.
These houses will be for sale. Information about the sale of the houses will be made public soon. Anyone interested in purchasing one of the homes can contact Ryan Russell at [email protected] or by calling (620) 314-5561 for more information.