Housing Services

Housing Services to Sell and Rent Foreclosed Homes

The Housing Services Division within the City of Olathe is purchasing foreclosed homes through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus). 

The NSP program requires organizations to make the foreclosed homes available to families that have incomes less than 120% of the metropolitan area median income.  25% of the families benefiting from this program must have incomes of less than 50% of the median income.  

HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM -   Housing Services will be purchasing up to three foreclosed homes within the city limits of Olathe.  These homes will be rehabilitated and made available for sale to families that apply through the Housing Services Office.   Families wishing to purchase one of these homes must complete an application, meet program eligibility and have a pre-approval letter from a lending institution.   Families are required to attend an eight (8) hour homeownership training course as part of the eligibility requirements.  Meeting eligibility requirements includes passing a criminal, credit and background investigation.

RENTAL PROGRAM – Between five (5) and ten (10) foreclosed homes will be purchased by the Housing Services Division within the City of Olathe, rehabilitated and offered as rentals to families that meet the income requirements and program eligibility.   The rent will be based on the fair market rents established for the metropolitan area by the United Stated Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Rents will be as follows: Two Bedroom = $569-$652, Three Bedroom - $835 to $911 and Four Bedroom = $847 to $966.  Tenants are responsible for paying all of their utilities.   Families interested in applying must meet the minimum requirements to include sufficient income to cover rental expenses.  Rent will be based on bedroom size.  Tenants will be required to sign a one year lease with a deposit equal to one months rent.  To meet the suitability requirements the applicants will be required to pass a criminal, credit and background investigation.   Persons interested in renting a house must submit an application to Housing Services.  

INCOME GUIDELINES – Families must have gross incomes at or below 120% median income for the area based on limit established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Maximum household income limits are based on household size:  Family of 1 - $59,160,  Family of 2 - $67,560, Family of 3 - $76,080, Family of 4 -$84,480, Family of 5 -91,200, and Family of 6 – 98,040.  

APPLICATION PROCESS – Applications will be taken until February 26^th on a walk-in basis at the Housing Office located at 201 N. Cherry Street.  After the 26^th of February, you must call 971-6267 to schedule an appointment. 

Questions:       Call 971-6260 

  Housing Services

The Housing Services Division provides a range of public services and resources designed to help maintain and improve the quality of life for our elderly, disabled and low income families in Olathe.  Services are offered include subsidized housing programs, home improvement programs, affordable transportation options and administration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Alcohol Tax Funds.

• Home Improvement Programs
• Olathe Housing Authority
• Taxi Coupon Transportation Service
• Grant Administration

These programs work together and in collaboration with other City Departments, outside agencies, organizations and citizens to:

• Offer home improvement opportunities to owner-occupied homeowners.
• Promote independent living through accessibility modifications.
• Provide and maintain 130 public housing units.
• Provide rental assistance to 409 low to moderate income families through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
• Encourage economic stability through Family Self-Sufficiency and Homeownership Programs
• Offer affordable transportation alternatives to elderly, disabled and income eligible working citizens.

Following is a summary of each of the four service areas offered through the Housing Services Division.

Home Improvement Programs
These programs can meet a critical need for homeowners who lack the funds to make necessary physical improvements to their homes. Rehabilitation assistance can be used to make essential improvements, ensure current building codes are utilized and improve energy efficiency. Activities of this type serve to improve the living conditions of individual households as well as reviving neighborhoods and properties.

• Housing Rehabilitation Deferred Loan
• Exterior Maintenance
• Elderly Homeowner Assistance
• Handicap Accessibility
• Emergency Repair Program
• Interior and Exterior Paint  Program
• Snow Brigade
• First Time Homebuyer Rehabilitation Assistance

Transportation Services
The Taxi Coupon Program and Route K promote safe, dependable and affordable public transportation to Olathe citizens especially our elderly, disabled and low income families. Coupons are used to pay for a one way door-to-door trip in a taxi or wheelchair lift equipped van.  General Coupons can be used for trips such as the grocery store, doctor appointments or retail stores. Work Coupons are used for reaching your work site or attending job preparation and work related programs. Participants may purchase as many coupon books as needed each month.

The City also has a fixed route bus system in Olathe known as the Route K. This transportation system is a partnership between the City of Olathe and Johnson County Transit.

• General (Green) Taxi Coupon Program for Elderly and Disabled
• Work (Purple) Taxi Coupon Program
• Medical Taxi Coupon Program
• Olathe Route K Fixed Route System

Olathe Housing Authority
This service promotes and encourages self-sufficiency to low-income families by providing affordable housing opportunities through a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and a Public Housing Program.  Partnerships with local community organizations provide the educational and supportive functions necessary for our families to reach self-sufficiency.

• Housing Authority
• Public Housing Program
• Section 8 Voucher Program
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)
• 1st Time Homeownership Program
• Board of Housing Commissioners

Grant Administration
Manages federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Alcohol Tax funds. Oversees the grant application processes to ensure compliance with local and state policies and procedures. Grant funds available through the City of Olathe included:

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• Community Program Funds
• Alcohol Tax Funds

Office Location - 201 North Cherry Street

Office Phone Number - 913-971-6260