Kansas Spanish Speakers is at an “exciting” point in its local infill housing project announced earlier this year.
On KVOE’s Talk of Emporia last Tuesday, Kansas Spanish Speakers founder Lelan Dains stated the local organization is currently in the “Due diligence process with the Kansas Health Foundation” for the ReCasa program, which will see new “affordable” homes built on vacant lots within the Emporia City limits. While the bulk of funding for the project is coming from the Kansas Health Foundation, Dains says Spanish Speakers recently received a substantial contribution for the venture.
The “end user,” according to Dains, is not a specific demographic. Dains notes they would like to work with first-time home buyers; however, the ReCasa program will be open to anyone, with no financial requirements or restrictions. The cost of the homes, according to Dains, will range between $150,000 and $160,000, which Dains called “arguably affordable.”
Dains stated that for those who purchase one of the new homes through this program, there is a major “extra benefit” that comes with it.
Round one of ReCasa will see four homes constructed on “centrally located” vacant lots in Emporia. Three of the four will be located near or around South Avenue, with the fourth located north of Sixth Avenue.
A timeline for physical work is currently pending.
All of the lots were donated to Spanish Speakers through the Emporia Land Bank. For questions or more information on ReCasa, contact Emporia Spanish Speakers by calling 620-209-5465, visiting them at 215 West Sixth Avenue, Suite 107, or visiting KansasSpanishSpeakers.org/contact.
