Kansas Department for Children and Families Announces $10M for Housing Support Program

Contact:

Erin La Row

Deputy Director of Media Relations,

Kansas Department for Children and Families

dcf.media@ks.gov

Contact:

Emily Sharp

Communications Director,

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

esharp@kshousingcorp.org

Kansas Department for Children and Families Announces DCF $10M for Housing Support Program ~Grant will assist low-income Kansans at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness~

1/29/2026

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today it has awarded the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) a $10 million housing support program grant to provide assistance and services to low-income, eligible Kansas families at risk of or experiencing homelessness in all 105 counties across the state.

Through the grant, DCF will allocate $5 million annually for two years in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding for this program. The grant term is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with two one-year options to renew. Through this program, KHRC, in partnership with the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition, City of Topeka, United Way of the Plains, and Metro Lutheran Ministry, will develop a comprehensive approach to assist eligible families in obtaining and maintaining stable housing.

“Affordable housing is not a luxury; it is a fundamental necessity,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “Access to a stable home provides not only security and comfort, but also the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.”

This program falls within KHRC’s established scope of work in helping to provide Kansans with access to safe, affordable housing. The nonprofit serves as the state’s housing finance agency, administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans.

“Quality, affordable homes enable families and communities to thrive,” said Doug Wallace, KHRC's Emergency Solutions Grant Manager, who will oversee the program. “Stably housed Kansans experience better health and safety outcomes, achieve greater educational and professional success, and enjoy increased economic prosperity. Thanks to this partnership, more Kansans will experience the life-changing benefits of a safe and stable home.”

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The Kansas Department for Children and Families’ (DCF) mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and promote adult self-sufficiency. DCF’s 35 service centers across the state offer a wide range of support services, including food, utility, child care assistance, child support services, and employment education and training. DCF also partners with grantees to provide foster care services to children, including case planning, placement, life skills, and foster parent recruitment andtraining. DCF partners with organizations, communities, and other agencies to support families, children, and vulnerable adults, connecting them with resources, supports, and networks in their home communities.