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By Mikayla Kelly
Published: May 20, 2025 at 11:16 PM EDT
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Affordable complexes are in the works across the Capital City.
Phase one of an affordable housing development in East Topeka was given the green light at the May 20 city council meeting.
SENT Inc. executive director Johnathan Sublet has been working for years to create Fremont Hill, a complex that features 227 units of affordable housing near Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood.
Phase one will include 176 residential apartments on 7 acres east of Fremont Street near SE 31st.
“We have secured that we can do housing for a rate that I haven’t seen anywhere in Kansas, and so to see the sign-off, to see the adulation, and to see the support of the community means a lot to us right now,” Sublet said following the approval.
Though they are still awaiting tax credit approvals, set to be voted on next week, Sublet was filled with joy just seeing the first hurdle cleared. and proud to see the Hi-Crest neighborhood taking steps to provide individuals a real opportunity to go from unhoused to homeowner.
“And just what that will do for our community to have that many single homes and apartment complexes with that kind of economic development, and what it’s going to do for the entire city.”
This approval comes a week after a groundbreaking was announced for the Union Tower District at 1104 SE Quincy.
38 of the expected 230 units will specifically be utilized by low-income individuals or families.
“Only 38,” councilwoman Karen Hiller explained. “It will be mixed-income housing, so workforce and just that handful of scattered units throughout the development, which is, in my experience, the best way to mix those units in.”