Low-income housing combats homelessness by creating opportunities for stability, job placement, and more. Housing has a lasting impact on not only the individual and their family, but the community around them. With your support, HumanKind Ministries converted the former 316 Hotel into The Studios at HumanKind, a 54-unit permanent housing complex specifically aimed at supporting those living in homelessness in Wichita. The Studios opened its doors in October, 2021.
The Studios at HumanKind
THE CHALLENGE
The number one cause of homelessness in the United States is a lack of affordable housing. Many people experiencing homelessness do not meet the criteria to access existing low-income housing, despite their need.
There are 702 individuals facing homelessness on any given night in Sedgwick County and HK serves more than 1,400 clients in our shelters alone. Many individuals escaping poverty and homelessness face barriers to entering permanent housing: poor or no rental history, behavioral health, substance abuse, and convictions for example. Criteria to apply for an apartment at The Studios are minimal, and tenants are provided with one-on-one support to help them navigate the transition to permanent housing.
THE VISION
HumanKind will help individuals—many of whom suffer from trauma, behavioral health issues, substance abuse disorders and more— progress directly from homelessness into permanent, affordable housing.
The Studios creates an opportunity to provide holistic support, including extensive case management and community collaboration, to streamline access to services and help residents address their unique challenges in a way not seen before in Wichita.
THE PROJECT
In December 2020, we were able to purchase the former 316 Hotel thanks to federal CARES funding for affordable housing, as allocated by the City of Wichita. Every dollar of the more than $4 million HumanKind received went toward the purchase of the building and its required renovations (completed by Dondlinger Construction at a discount) to transform it into a 54-unit, fully furnished studio apartment complex.
Additional funding was provided by individuals and private companies to supplement the CARES funding. HumanKind covers all operational costs, with rent only partially subsidizing the cost of managing the facility, fully-furnished, with full case management for all residents.
The Studios opened its doors to its first residents in October 2021. Since then, The Studios has been home to hundreds of Wichitans moving directly from homelessness. On-site case management for all residents provides programmatic support and conference spaces accommodate greater collaboration amongst local service providers. Those who move on do so with a rental history and a 98% chance of remaining housed.
HumanKind is proud to have brought a facility of this kind to Wichita. To see The Studios for yourself, schedule a campus tour.
All apartments operated by HumanKind Ministries are available to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
