Manhattan Housing Authority gets $605K federal grant for elevator replacement

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan Housing Authority announced it has received a $605,404 Emergency Capital Fund Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to replace failing elevators at its Apartment Tower development.

The funding addresses urgent safety concerns at the facility, where elevator failures have created serious risks for residents and emergency responders, according to a housing authority Facebook post Thursday.

The authority cited several critical issues requiring immediate attention: risk of falls due to uneven stops, barriers preventing emergency responders from accessing upper floors, and non-compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards.

The federal grant will fund complete replacement of both elevators at the Apartment Tower, including new drives, encoders, controllers, cab wiring and ADA-compliant controls.

"Thanks to this award, MHA will be able to move forward with full elevator replacements," the housing authority stated in its announcement.

Additionally, HUD recognized the Manhattan Housing Authority as a high performer for its administration of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The recognition reflects the authority's commitment to serving low-income families with dignity, maintaining high utilization and compliance, and providing access to safe and stable housing in Manhattan and Riley County.

The Emergency Capital Fund Grant program provides funding to public housing authorities for critical infrastructure repairs and improvements that pose immediate safety risks to residents.

The Manhattan Housing Authority operates public housing facilities throughout the city and can be reached at (785) 776-8588.