Wichita leaders are addressing the issue of abandoned homes to improve community safety and housing availability
Local leaders are stepping up and taking their concerns to the state level. They want to tackle the housing supply problem in the city. Vacant homes are becoming hotspots for squatters, and that’s a big worry for everyone.
To tackle this, they’re looking to change how quickly the city can claim these abandoned properties. Right now, it takes five years of unpaid property taxes before the local government can step in. But if a home needs major repairs, that process can be sped up.
City Councilmember Mike Hoheisel is pushing for easier claims on these homes. He’s in talks with state leaders to make sure local needs align with state laws.
Hoheisel wants to change the rules so that properties can be claimed just a year or two after taxes go unpaid, especially if they’re reported as vacant and occupied by squatters. He also mentioned that some state regulations might need a little tweaking to make this happen smoothly.
