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Faith leaders, volunteers and community groups back Habitat plan, emphasize workforce housing needs
Summary
Dozens of residents, faith leaders and Habitat volunteers told the Planning Commission the project will provide permanent affordable homeownership for working families, is governed by a community land trust, and has safeguards such as homeowner education and sweat equity.
A coalition of faith leaders, longtime Habitat volunteers, and community organizations urged the Planning Commission to approve Habitat for Humanity’s Clear Creek proposal, saying the homes will provide long-term stability for teachers, nurses, first responders and other working families.
"Who gets to belong here? Who gets to be our neighbor?" asked Reverend Jordan Stone, framing support around inclusion and asking the commission to choose long-term affordable homeownership over a market-rate alternative. Supporters repeatedly praised Habitat’s selection process and education requirements, noting homeowners perform 'sweat equity', complete financial classes, and purchase homes under a shared-equity land trust that preserves affordability for future buyers.
Kristy Baughman, Executive Director of United Community Services of Johnson County, presented data showing median home prices in Lenexa rose by roughly 53% between 2019 and 2024 and argued the project would create permanently affordable single-family opportunities where supply has otherwise failed to deliver homes in lower price cohorts. Faith leaders and volunteers noted Habitat’s longstanding local track record and urged the commission to advance the application to City Council.
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