FHLBank Topeka is proud to announce $31.3 million in affordable housing grants for 2024. 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 26 projects in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The successful applications will give 1,699 very low-, low- and moderate-income households a place to call home.
 
“Providing these grants through our members each year is a cornerstone of our mission," said Jeff Kuzbel, president and CEO. "The commitment of FHLBank members and the innovative spirit of community builders across our district are showcased by the diverse projects receiving funding. From a community supporting individuals coming out of homelessness in north Tulsa, Oklahoma, complete with gardens and orchards, to an affordable development targeted to early childhood educators in Monument, Colorado, this year’s AHP projects will profoundly impact 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.

This year marks not only the 35th anniversary of the AHP but also a significant funding milestone, surpassing $400 million since inception. In addition to the $31.3 million in funding provided through FHLBank’s competitive AHP, in 2024 FHLBank has distributed $18.5 million through its TurnKey program, providing down payment, closing cost and repair assistance to support 1,300 very low-, low-, and moderate-income homebuyers. FHLBank also announced its Native American Housing Initiatives Grants Program, which funded $5.3 million to support housing and community development in Native American communities. In 2023, we committed to increasing our annual contribution to affordable housing and community development by 50 percent by 2025.

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

Colorado Kansas Nebraska Oklahoma Alternates

Colorado
$3 million for 323 housing units 

Denver Rescue Mission received a $1.5 million AHP grant to support Hope Starts Here in its Fort Collins location. The grant will provide gap financing for a new 38,000 square-foot facility, containing 250 units of housing. The facility will feature ample outdoor views and smaller dorm like neighborhoods. This new building will replace auxiliary overflow shelters, offering a safe refuge year-round and addressing pressing issues such as behavioral health and job placement. FirstBank in Lakewood supported the AHP grant and will provide construction financing.

Dream Centers of Colorado Springs was awarded a $1.5 million AHP grant to support the construction of the Haven at Lakeside, a 73-unit affordable housing community on the Dream Centers campus. In Colorado Springs, there is a shortage of 16,000 new childcare spots. However, there is not enough housing set at a rental rate affordable for the over 1,000 educators that would be needed to fill the childcare gap. For this reason, Dream Centers of Colorado Springs will actively advertise Haven at Lakeside to early childhood educators and work with both local Head Start providers in this mission. Integrity Bank & Trust, Monument, is the member involved with the project.

Kansas
$6.37 million for 301 housing units

The City of Emporia will use a $450,000 AHP grant to support its 2024 Fix Emporia program that will rehabilitate 30 homes owned and occupied by residents below 60% of the area median income (AMI). ESB Financial, Emporia, partnered on the project.

Access Group Wellness Project Corporation received two grants to help seniors and people with disabilities – one to renovate an affordable housing complex in Topeka and another to rehabilitate a housing development in Abilene. Knightsbridge Apartments in Topeka will use a $1.5 million AHP grant to provide new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, community center and landscaping for 60 units. Abilene’s 37-unit Mulberry Court also receive a $1.5 million grant and will undertake similar improvements to make the complex more comfortable for its residents. Both projects are in partnership with Horizon Bank, Waverly, Nebraska.

CHWC, INC., Kansas City, was awarded a $224,000 AHP grant in partnership with Capitol Federal Savings, Topeka, to develop and expand services for homeless veterans in Wyandotte County. The five-unit Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans facility will be improved through a new parking lot, fire suppression system, larger water feed line, new gas line, storm shelter and retaining wall. These improvements will allow the project to qualify for a group home certificate of occupancy.

Interfaith Housing and Community Services, Sterling, received a $452,990 AHP grant to make improvements to 20 homes in Sterling and Alden, Kansas. The funds will help improve the livability of owner-occupied homes in the two communities. Half of the repairs will benefit homeowners under 60% of AMI, and the other half will be allocated to homeowners at or below 80% AMI. First Bank, Sterling, partnered on the project.

Mennonite Housing Developers Association, Wichita, will use a $1.5 million grant to help 100 homeowners with repairs. The Home Repair 2024 program will focus primarily in Wichita on homes owned by seniors, larger homes with three or more bedrooms and homes in qualified census tracts and difficult development areas. Fidelity Bank, NA, Wichita, supported the project.

Topeka Habitat for Humanity was awarded $751,750 to support its Aging in Place Program. The funds will help 40 homeowners live independently. The program aims to make homes livable and environmentally safe, while connecting residents to necessary resources to allow them to access their basic needs. Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Topeka, is the partnering member.

Nebraska
$8.36 million for 430 housing units

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Columbus, will receive a $900,000 AHP grant to start a housing rehabilitation program to preserve aging housing stock. The funds will assist 60 homeowners of various incomes. The project is supported by Columbus Bank & Trust Co., Columbus. 

Crossroads Center in Lexington will be helped by a $1,442,800 AHP grant. The organization has served its community since 1983, starting as a soup kitchen with one bed and expanding over the years into a 62-facility. The new project will rehabilitate an existing non-residential structure to provide 20 additional units of affordable transitional housing complete with supportive services to help residents lead stable, independent lives. Heritage Bank, Wood River, supported the AHP grant and will provide construction financing. 

Cuming County Economic Development will use a $740,368 AHP grant to support its homeownership program. The funds will help rehabilitate 40 homes in Cuming County. F&M Bank, West Point, is the member on the project. 

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 $1.5 million AHP grant to help 60 homeowners purchase a home. Omaha has experienced sharp growth in its affordability gap, making these funds essential to support homeownership for buyers earning less than 80% of the area median income. Through a $1.5 million AHP grant, the home repair project will assist 75 homeowners with a wide range of repair needs – replacing roofs, windows and doors; resolving structural issues; and installing new HVAC and plumbing. Both projects are in partnership with American National Bank of Omaha. 

Nebraska Housing Developers Association received a $772,500 AHP grant to support All Seasons Affordability Program III, which will provide HVAC rehabilitation assistance to 75 eligible applicants. The program aims to help reduce energy costs to homeowners with low to moderate incomes. The member on the project is First National Bank of Omaha. 

Project Houseworks in Omaha will employ $1.5 million in AHP grants to support owner-occupied rehab projects for 100 homeowners through its Aging in Place Program and Immigrant & Refugee Home Repair Program. The Aging in Place Program serves homeowners 60 or older with incomes below 50% AMI in Douglas and Sarpy counties. The Immigrant & Refugee program serves homeowners under 80% AMI who meet refugee or immigration guidelines. Expected repairs include roofs, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, foundation, windows, doors, floor coverings, wall repair, paint and hazardous material remediation. First National Bank of Omaha is the member on the project.

Oklahoma 
$13.52 million for 645 housing units 

Community Enhancement Corporation, Oklahoma City, received a $1.5 million AHP grant to renovate a shuttered motel into 76 units of supportive housing. The Vita Nova development will provide a subsidized studio apartment to individuals experiencing chronic street or shelter homelessness who may be ineligible for other assistance due to bad credit, outstanding debt or histories of convictions. Families and seniors will be targeted residents. BOKF, NA is the member involved in the project. 

Cushing Housing, Inc., Cushing, will use a $690,000 AHP grant to renovate Cimarron Tower, a development housing seniors. The seven-floor building needs complete elevator modernization. The complex includes 46 efficiency and one-bedroom units with a community room, leasing office, laundry facility and maintenance area. Horizon Bank, Waverly, Nebraska, is the member supporting this project. 

Eden Village of Tulsa was awarded a $1,285,000 AHP grant to build a gated, tiny home community to support formerly homeless individuals. The first nine homes opened this year. The grant will support the construction of 18 units as well a community building with laundry, a gathering space, library and offices for staff. Five acres will be devoted to a working farm with chickens, cows, pigs and space to grow crops to sell at the local farmer’s markets. Gateway First Bank, Jenks, is the member who partnered on the application. 

Hickory Village, Inc. in Stilwell will be impacted by a $1,497,204 AHP grant. As one of the most impoverished economies in the nation, Stilwell relies on Hickory Village to serve seniors and people with disabilities in their community with 32 units of housing. The project will replace the roofs, guttering and downspouts. All units will be equipped with exterior insulated doors and storm doors. Inside improvements will include tankless water heaters, new kitchen cabinets and countertops, and bathroom upgrades including handicapped-accessible features like high-rise toilets and walk-in showers. Carson Community Bank, Stilwell is the member on the project. 

Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC), received a $1,050,000 AHP grant to support their downpayment assistance program. The program will provide $15,000 grants to 70 homeowners earning less than 80% of AMI. The program plans to provide 30% of the grants to homeowners earning less than 50% of AMI. ONAC also provides support for financial education and employment and mental health referrals. Gateway First Bank in Jenks supported the AHP application and will provide mortgage lending. Mortgage support will also be provided by Sovereign Bank and Chickasaw Community Bank, both FHLBank Topeka members. 

Recovering Oklahomans After Disaster, Inc. (ROAD), was awarded a $1.5 million AHP grant to repair 118 homes impacted by storm damage in 2022 and 2023 across Oklahoma. The grant will fulfill the full waitlist of homes at the time of application. ROAD works with AmeriCorps, contractors, and faith-based and community service volunteers to complete the work. Volunteers are under the leadership of professional ROAD contractors, who serve as project managers. Watermark Bank, Oklahoma City, is the member supporting the project. 

Revitalize T-Town, Inc., secured a $1.5 million AHP grant in partnership with BOKF, NA, Tulsa. The funds will help 75 low-income homeowners remain in their homes thanks to needed repairs. The organization currently has 89 qualified homeowners waiting for repairs, with 46 needing roof repairs that can cause additional damage to a home without remediation. Many other homeowners with limited mobility are in need of safety upgrades like grab bars, wheelchair ramps and bathroom modifications.  

The City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma, Tulsa, received a $1.5 million AHP grant to support the construction of City Lights Village, a 75-unit permanent supportive housing development for people coming out of chronic homelessness. Residents will have access to financial empowerment classes, tenant/landlord counseling, and mental health and addiction recovery resources. The grounds will include a community center, laundry facility and meeting spaces as well as gardens and orchards to support food instability. Mabrey Bank, Bixby, partnered on the project. 

Tulsa Habitat for Humanity will benefit from a $1.5 million AHP grant to support 75 units through new construction and home rehabilitation. New homes will include three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage. Tulsa Habitat is also developing a neighborhood of owner-occupied townhomes. The member on the project is Regent Bank in Tulsa. 

Volunteers of America Oklahoma was awarded a $1.5 million AHP grant to convert a church in Lawton into a non-congregate shelter with 30 units for women experiencing homelessness. The program provides each resident access to a case manager to help with mental health services, job training and life skills development. BOKF, NA, is the member supporting the project. 

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

$1.5 million – Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity in Oklahoma City for the 2025 Critical Home Repair project – Member: First National Bank of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 

$1.5 million – Crossroads Center in Hastings, Nebraska - Member: Heritage Bank, Wood River, Nebraska 

$1.5 million – FHM Associates, Inc in Muscogee, Oklahoma, for Fair Haven Apartments – Member: Horizon Bank, Waverly, Nebraska 

$631,800 – Mound City Rental Housing, Mound City, Kansas – Member: Farmers & Merchants Bank, Mound City, Kansas 

$1.5 million – My Father’s House Community Services, Inc., Paola, Kansas, for phase II of tiny home village – Member: First Option Bank, Osawatomie, Kansas 

$1.5 million – The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless for Park Avenue Apartments in Denver – Member: FirstBank, Lakewood, Colorado