FHLBank Topeka is proud to announce $17.7 million in affordable housing grants for 2023. The grants through FHLBank Topeka’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP), which are made in partnership with FHLBank Topeka’s member financial institutions, will help fund 22 projects in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The successful applications will give 1,168 very low-, low- and moderate-income households a place to call home.

“We were pleased to join with our members to support the development of affordable housing in every state in our district through FHLBank’s AHP,” said Mark Yardley, president and CEO. “The commitment of FHLBank members and the creativity of community builders across our district is on display with the wide range of projects awarded funding. From tiny homes for vulnerable community members in Paola, Kansas, to a family hotel for unhoused families in Denver, Colorado, this year’s AHP projects will touch many lives.”

Each year, FHLBank Topeka allocates 10% of its prior year’s earnings to AHP. Nonprofit groups, for-profit developers, government agencies and public entities apply for the grants for rental and owner-occupied housing projects through an FHLBank member. Past recipients note that AHP funding is an important part of attracting additional funding to a project.

In addition to the $17.7 million in funding provided through FHLBank’s competitive AHP, in 2023 FHLBank has distributed more than $9.6 million through its Homeownership Set-aside program, providing down payment, closing cost and repair assistance to assist more than 1,200 very low-, low-, and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. FHLBank also announced its inaugural Native American Housing Initiatives Grant recipients, which will fund $3 million to support housing and community development in Native American communities. Earlier this year, we committed to increasing our annual contribution to affordable housing and community development by 50 percent.

Our housing and community development programs are central to our mission to make a difference by helping our members build their communities. The success of our cooperative means more funding is allocated to support our members in these community-building initiatives.

Colorado Kansas Nebraska Oklahoma Alternates

Colorado
$1.54 million for 100 housing units

• Elevation Community Land Trust was awarded a $1 million AHP grant to support 40 homeowners through a statewide homeownership program. The grant is in partnership with FHLBank member FirstBank in Lakewood.
• Volunteers of America Colorado will use a $540,000 AHP grant toward the demolition and rebuilding of the 60-year-old Theodora Family Hotel in Denver. This emergency shelter will provide 60 units for unhoused families and veterans. FirstBank in Lakewood is the member involved with the project.​

Kansas
$6.69 million for 439 housing units

• Mental Health Association Group Homes, Inc., in Wichita, worked with FHLBank member Fidelity Bank, NA, Wichita, to secure a $169,121 AHP grant to support 16 units in Berkeley House that help individuals recovering from mental illness.
• CHWC, INC., Kansas City, Kansas, received two grants – one for its down payment assistance project and one for home repair assistance. The down payment assistance program received a $630,000 AHP grant to help 30 homeowners purchase a home. The home repair project will assist 95 homeowners with rehabilitation costs through a $973,740 AHP grant. Both projects are in partnership with Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Topeka.
• HopeBUILDERS Home Repair, Inc., Overland Park, was awarded a $1 million AHP grant to help 100 homeowners with repair and accessibility projects. The partnering member is Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Topeka.
• My Father’s House Community Services, Inc., will use a $1 million AHP grant to support the construction of 14 tiny homes, including needed infrastructure, in Paola, Kansas. The tiny homes will house community members recovering from homelessness and/or addiction or living with mental or physical disabilities who are unable to afford rent. The member supporting the project is First Option Bank, Osawatomie.
• The City of Salina partnered with Equity Bank, Andover, to secure a $999,999 AHP grant to support phase one of its home repair and rehabilitation program. The grant will help 44 income-qualified Salina homeowners with needed repairs. The program is targeting a certain census tract to rehabilitate older, deteriorating housing stock.
• Iola Housing Authority will use a $360,000 AHP grant to update 40 units in Townhouse East apartments for seniors and people with disabilities. Community National Bank & Trust of Chanute is the member.
• Access Group Wellness Project Corporation received a $1 million AHP grant in partnership with Horizon Bank, Waverly, Nebraska. The grant will help renovate 55 units serving seniors and those with a physical, mental or emotional disability in Wellington, Kansas.
• Wichita Habitat for Humanity was awarded $560,950 to support its 2024 home repair program. The funds will help 45 homeowners in Wichita. Fidelity Bank, NA, Wichita, is the member partner.​

Nebraska
$4.72 million for 344 housing units

• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Inc. received two grants – one for its down payment assistance project and one for its home repair fund. The down payment assistance program received a $1 million AHP grant to help 50 homeowners purchase a home. The home repair project will assist 70 homeowners with rehabilitation costs with help from a $975,000 AHP grant. Both projects are in partnership with American National Bank of Omaha.
• Nebraska Housing Developers Association received a $750,000 AHP grant to support down payment assistance for 100 first-time homebuyers. The member on the project is First National Bank of Omaha.
• Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity was awarded a $408,000 AHP grant to support critical repairs for 24 homeowners earning between 30 to 60 percent of the area median income. The project is supported by First National Bank of Omaha.
• Project Houseworks in Omaha will employ $1 million in AHP grants to support owner-occupied rehab projects for 70 income-qualified homeowners. First National Bank of Omaha is the member on the project.
• Rebuilding Together Platte Valley East will benefit from a $587,163 AHP grant. The grant supports rehabilitation efforts for 30 homes in Fremont. The project is in partnership with Pinnacle Bank, Lincoln.​

Oklahoma
$4.75 million for 285 housing units

• Nehemiah Community Development Corporation was awarded a $1 million AHP grant to repurpose the Emerald Hotel in Bartlesville. The grant funds will be used to rehabilitate 100 units. Equity Bank, Andover, Kansas, is the member.
• Gatesway Foundation, Inc., received a $1 million AHP grant to fund its Gatesway Homes Rehab program. The funds will help rehabilitate outdated and failing infrastructure in their Broken Arrow community serving adults with intellectual disabilities. Regent Bank in Tulsa is the member.
• Tulsa Habitat for Humanity will benefit from a $1 million AHP grant. The funds will support needed repairs to 50 homes. The member on the project is Regent Bank in Tulsa.
• Rebuilding Together Kiamichi County in McAlester was awarded a $750,500 AHP grant to tackle rehabilitation projects for 38 homeowners. The Bank, NA, in McAlester is the member.
• Revitalize T-Town, Inc., secured a $1 million AHP grant in partnership with BOKF, NA, Tulsa. The funds will help 65 low-income homeowners remain in their homes thanks to needed repairs.​

Alternate Projects
In the event more funding becomes available, we have identified additional projects to be awarded (in no particular order).

• $1 million – BeyondHome for the rehabilitation of 22 homes in Arvada, Colorado – Member: FirsTier Bank, Kimball, Nebraska
• $974,981 – NeighborWorks Southern Colorado for downpayment assistance for 13 future homeowners – Member: Pueblo Bank & Trust Co., Pueblo, Colorado
• $997,540 – Elevations Foundation for downpayment assistance for 95 future homeowners – Member: Elevations Credit Union, Boulder, Colorado
• $660,750 – Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity for 25 critical home repairs – Member: GNBank, NA, Girard, Kansas
• $593,800 – RestoreOKC, Inc., for nine rehabilitation projects in Oklahoma City – Member: The Citizens Bank of Edmond, Edmond, Oklahoma
• $104,500 – The Gardens at Wichita Place, Inc., for 14 units – Member: Fidelity Bank, NA, Wichita, Kansas