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By Claire Decatur
Published: May 19, 2025 at 11:28 PM EDT
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – SENT INC Executive Director Johnathan Sublet has been one of the key voices in a Topeka affordable housing project.
“I had this vision from the time I first came up to Topeka for my first visit,” Sublet said.
That vision is Fremont Hill, 227 units of affordable housing near Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood.
The project is two-fold. The first phase includes 176 residential apartments on 7 acres east of Fremont Road near SE 31st Street.
“We’re partnering with the Topeka Housing Authority on it,” Sublet said. “…Because we’re partnered with that they’ll be able to use vouchers for it. So 106 of the units, people will be able to live in even with zero income.”
It also includes a future community center and a limited retail development.
“We’re looking for a commercial partner to come in here,” Sublet said. “We’re willing to give them a one-dollar lease for 100 years if they’re willing to give us a small percentage of their revenue to pour back into our neighborhood towards wrap-around services.”
Later down the road and across the street is part two, 51 single-family houses costing below $200,000.
“We’re talking about homeownership now becoming a reality for many many people and that’s our hope and dream. We have consistently been building in this neighborhood, a neighborhood where someone can go from unsheltered to homeowner.”
The Topeka City Council will vote on phase one at 6 p.m. on May 19.
Sublet hopes to break ground in spring 2026 if approved.
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