Northeast Wichita, Let’s Talk Housing

By Bonita Gooch, Editor-in-Chief/The Voice

Jason Washington stood in front of his grandmother’s house at 1531 N. Green looking out at the vacant lot next door where his uncle’s house used to be.  Washington tried desperately to save his uncle’s house from the city’s condemnation process, that seeks to prod owners to fix up dangerous and unsafe homes – or get rid of them entirely if they can’t or won’t.

It’s a process that has despite opposition torn down a disproportionate number of homes in 67214. They were homes some individuals said were prime for repair and renovation into affordable starter homes, something that’s needed as the price of homes and rent continue to rise.

Excess demolitions are just one of many issues in 67214 Wichita journalists want to hear about at “Northeast Wichita, Let’s Talk Housing.” a listening session and solutions circle event.  The session is organized by The Community Voice, a community-based newspaper that has covered Wichita’s African-American community for almost 30 years and the Urban League of Kansas, an organization that has fought for fair housing in Wichita since the 1950s. 

While some 67214 residents live in the area out of necessity, many of the area’s residents have deep ties to the community and want to see the district’s housing inequities and issues addressed.  Members of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative want to hear from a broad based of the area’s residents – those who love it and those who can’t wait to leave. 

Since early 2023, members of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative have worked to uncover, write about and help address housing concerns.  With this session, The Voice hopes to turn more of that focus onto the housing concerns and issues of Northeast Wichita

If you have housing concerns, or if you would like to suggest housing solutions, plan on attending this free event on Thurs., Nov. 14, 6:30 – 8 p.m.  at the Urban League of Kansas, 2418 E. 9th Street, Wichita, KS.  Light snacks will be provided. 

Let’s Talk Housing

Thurs., Nov. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

Urban League of Kansas, 2418 E. 9th St. Wichita

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