Announcements
August COVID-19 and rental related matters update
To encourage best safety practices during the ongoing pandemic, TTH staff will continue to work outside of the office through the end of the year. Until then, we are still available to meet your rental needs as we work remotely. Please continue to contact Jeremi for rental maintenance and Chassidy for all other rental related matters. You can continue to pay your rent by mail, or by placing it in the green rental drop box, and we will mail you a receipt.
We will accept payment plans and extend the “No Late Fees” for late rent through the END OF THE YEAR.
Governor Kelly’s most recent Executive Eviction Order went into effect August 17, 2020 and expires on August 30, 2020. There is a possibility that she will extend it further but that is not guaranteed. Just a reminder this eviction order pertains to those who have had a substantial financial hardship caused by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s order can be found here. https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/EO-20-61-Reissued-Evictions-and-Foreclosures-Executed.pdf. Please note, we will make every effort to work with you regarding setting up payment plans and waiving late fees, so you do not lose your housing. Please be aware at this time, legislation has NOT been passed for a second direct stimulus check. So, you need to continue to carefully monitor your budget. If you know your ability to pay rent is still affected by COVID-19, please continue to contact Chassidy directly to set up a payment plan.
We will continue to renew leases, but will be doing so remotely, processing information by email and postal mail. We are not open to the public.
Please make arrangements to submit copies of necessary lease renewal items. We will not increase rent for any future TTH lease renewals for the remainder of 2020.
If you find you are struggling to manage the widespread effects of COVID-19, whether it be a financial hardship, physical health, or the emotional uncertainties this pandemic brings, here are a few updated resources for you:
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. Offering various Mental Health and Homeless Outreach services. Call 785-843-9192.
Housing and Credit Counseling (HCCI): Offering free budgeting services. Call 1-800-383-0217.
Senior Resource Center (SRC): Now offering a new virtual Senior Party Line talk group offered by telephone or ZOOM. Call for more details and other available senior resources. 785-842-0543.
We wish you well during this time.
Chassidy and TTH Staff
Click Here for COVID-19 information and resources.
Support TTH through Amazon Smile
Amazon will donate 5% of your entire purchase price to Tenants to Homeowners when you make TTH your Amazon Smile beneficiary.
Our team of Helping Hammers can assist you with all those outside chores ~ call the Senior Resource Center @ 785.842.0543 for more information.
Density Bonus FAQ’s:
1. What is this Affordable Housing Density Bonus I’ve been hearing so much about?
The Density Bonus is Lawrence’s first city policy specifically supporting affordable
housing. With land and home prices increasing, the proposed bonus would allow affordable
housing developers to build 2 small homes on a single lot with the stipulation that the homes
remain permanently affordable and that each unit meet all parking, setback, and zoning
requirements.
2. Will the Density bonus cause water runoff or drainage issues?
Lawrence City Code restricts the % of impervious surface per lot. In many cases, two small homes
will allow more green space than 1 large home.
3. Why not just build more affordable housing on the edge of town instead of in my
neighborhood?
Affordable Housing is about more than housing. It’s about access to food, services, multi-modal
transportation, and neighborhood culture. TTH is currently developing equitable ownership
opportunities in all Lawrence neighborhoods.
4. Will permanently affordable housing in my neighborhood decrease the value of my home?
Housing in Trust is high-quality, energy efficient housing designed by local architects and
built by local Lawrence contractors. New, infill housing is a benefit to all neighborhoods.
More directly, housing in trust is NOT compared to unrestricted housing when creating county
tax valuations. Housing in Trust has NO affect on the value of neighboring properties.
5. How will the City insure that the Density Bonus is only for PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
HOUSING?
The text amendment allows use of the Bonus only to organizations who permanently steward
homes with affordability restrictions. The City will require a certification process to
insure eligibility for purchasers and developers.
A huge shout out to the United Way of Douglas County for supporting Tenants to Homeowners and Affordable Housing. Click here for more information.
Home Purchase Program
Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. builds new homes and rehabilitates old homes also. Learn more about our houses for sale.
Rentals
Tenants to Homeowners (TTH) maintains more than 80 affordable rental homes in Lawrence to those with low incomes.
Housing Stabilization Collaborative
The Housing Stabilization Collaborative provides financial rent support and low-interest microloans to Douglas County renters experiencing a COVID-affected income.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Meet Kim
“We’ve been in our new house for about three months now, and I still feel connected with the staff of TTH. I like the fact that I can call with questions concerning the house, taxes, and the loan. I even attended a home workshop which was informative and fun. Honestly, I would not have wanted to go through the home buying process alone, and with TTH, I felt anything but. Thank you, TTH, this is a wonderful program, and I am grateful for the staff that makes a world of difference.”
Meet the Buhler family
“Aside from my house payment being lower than our rent was, and the utilities being much cheaper than the utilities in the old, smaller house we rented before, I am thrilled that I am now able to give my children so many ‘firsts’ by owning our home. The first thing they asked when we moved was if they could paint their rooms pink and blue instead of the plain white we’ve had all these years of renting. They were also excited that we were able to put Christmas lights on our house. We now have a fenced-in yard for them to play in, and we were able to get our first family dog! I am so thankful to Tenants to Homeowners for helping me give my children these experiences while helping me be better off financially, and the feeling of owning my own home is wonderful!”