McPherson opens citywide housing repair grant pre-applications
Applications open until September, all residents encouraged to apply
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Become a subscriberMcPherson residents may soon have access to federal funding for critical home repairs through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Program.
At a public meeting at City Hall on July 28, representatives from the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) outlined the program and encouraged residents to complete a pre-application. The city plans to apply for a housing rehabilitation grant, which, if awarded, could provide up to $25,000 per qualifying home for eligible repairs.
The program is income-based, with eligibility determined by federal income limits that vary by county and year. According to Megan Unruh, grant administrator and grant writer with SCKEDD, home eligibility also depends on the city's approved grant plan.
"It depends on the city plan and how they want to develop the grant," Megan Unruh said. "After the grant is awarded, mobile homes are a choice that the city can choose in their plan. For duplexes, at least 51% of the occupants have to be income-qualified for the program."
The program has been funded in McPherson since 2016 through four successful grants. Unlike previous years, this application will be open to qualifying homeowners throughout the city rather than in a single target neighborhood.
SCKEDD, a regional nonprofit serving south-central Kansas, will assist the city with grant writing, inspections, compliance, and project administration if funding is awarded.
"We work with counties and cities to help them get grants and funding for different projects that they'd like to see come to fruition in their cities," Unruh said.
The grant focuses on health and safety improvements rather than cosmetic upgrades. Eligible repairs may include roofing, HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing repairs, siding, window replacement, accessibility improvements, minor foundation work, lead paint remediation, and radon mitigation. In some cases, demolition of unsafe structures or rental rehabilitation may also qualify.
SCKEDD also administers the Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program, which can often be combined with CDBG funding to complete additional energy-efficiency improvements.
"We have our weatherization program, which serves about the south half of Kansas," Unruh said. "We have our housing inspection team, and they do health and safety inspections, lead-based paint inspections, and radon gas inspections for these types of projects."
SCKEDD and the City of McPherson are collecting pre-applications through Sept. 30, 2026. Completing a pre-application does not obligate homeowners to participate but helps demonstrate community need and strengthens the city's grant application.
Residents interested in applying may contact SCKEDD at 316-262-7035, Megan Unruh at 316-866-0050 or munruh@sckedd.org, or visit www.sckedd.org for more information.
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