SE Kansas News

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced legislation to address the national housing shortage and make it easier for rural workers to live in the communities they serve. The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act would expand the existing Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) program to allow rural homeowners to construct additional housing on their property, such as an attached apartment unit or a small home nearby, to be available for rent. Currently, HPGs are underused and receive limited funding that can only cover small costs and repairs. This legislation would optimize the program for rural housing creation, increasing its funding and expanding eligibility for homeowners who want to participate.

“There is a high demand for rural housing across Kansas, and it’s important that our housing programs offer creative solutions to address this issue,” said Sen. Moran. “Modernizing the Housing Preservation Grants program will help create new avenues for renovating and constructing homes in smaller communities across the country.”

“Both urban and rural communities across Maine and the nation are facing a serious housing shortage,” stated Sen. King. “Unfortunately, one law that Congress cannot repeal is the law of supply and demand; limited supply will inevitably increase prices. However, through creative solutions, we can increase the housing supply to help meet demand. I thank Senator Moran for working with me on the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act — it’s a commonsense, bipartisan step that will help us combat the housing shortage and ensure Maine people and residents across the country can live in the communities where they work. Maine is one big, small town connected by long roads, and when I drive those long roads, I see potentially available properties in the same communities that are facing crisis levels of housing availability. This bill makes it cheaper and easier for Maine people and residents across the country to renovate their homes or build new ones on their land and ease the shortfall.”

“The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act of 2024 would provide a significant step forward in addressing workforce housing needs and strengthening our nation’s small farms, the heart of our rural communities,” commented another supporter of the bill. “The health of our economy and the wellbeing of American families depend on the availability of affordable housing. I commend Senators King and Moran for introducing this practical solution for our nation’s farmers, farm workers, and food system.”

The proposed legislation includes several key provisions:

- Allow recipients to use HPG money to construct additional housing units either within or outside their home.

- Authorize funding for the nationwide program at $200 million.

- Offer grants of up to $100,000 to low- or medium-income recipients.

- Require that original homes be 25 years or older.

- Establish a required landlord education program to help homeowners learn how to oversee rental housing.

- Create a five-year ownership and occupancy requirement upon completion to prevent homeowners from flipping their property at increased values and prevent developers from taking advantage of the program.

Senator Moran has been committed to ensuring people across Kansas can access safe and affordable housing. He recently introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act aimed at creating nearly two million new affordable homes across the country. Additionally, he worked on improving affordability of rural homes through legislation such as Access to Credit for Our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act of 2023.