Housing Is Health: How SENT Inc. Is Building a Future Without Homelessness
Homelessness is one of the most visible symptoms of systemic inequity in America. But it’s not just a housing issue—it’s a health crisis.
According to the Build Healthy Places Network, over half a million people in the U.S. experience homelessness at any given time. The causes are complex and interconnected: lack of affordable housing, unemployment, untreated mental illness, addiction, domestic violence, and structural racism. But the consequences are clear—those without stable housing face dramatically higher rates of hospitalization, chronic illness, and early death. Nearly a third of all emergency room visits come from individuals experiencing homelessness.
The good news? Community development—when done right—can reverse this trend. And in Topeka, SENT Inc. is proving what’s possible.
Beyond Shelter: A Holistic Approach to Housing Stability
At SENT, we believe housing is the foundation for everything else—health, education, employment, and personal dignity. That’s why we’ve launched a long-term, ambitious plan to bring sustainable, affordable housing to SE Topeka.
By 2045, SENT aims to see 15% of homes in the Hi-Crest neighborhood transformed. This isn’t just a real estate strategy—it’s a community health intervention.
We’re focused on:
- Purchasing and repairing aging homes to reduce vacancy and increase affordable options.
- Renovating with purpose through programs like “Curb Appeal” and “Beat the Heat,” which provide home updates and energy-saving tools like air conditioning units.
- Designing and building net-zero energy homes to reduce costs and environmental impact. Our team built Topeka’s first new home in Hi-Crest in over 60 years and the city’s first net-zero home.
- Launching new developments like New Heights, a 51-home subdivision, and Johnson-Betts Meadows, a 176-unit mixed-income apartment community.
- Championing zoning reform and incentive structures to expand affordable housing citywide.
These initiatives reflect what experts call “upstream solutions”—strategies that address the root causes of homelessness before a crisis begins. (Building Healthy Places)
Why This Matters for Public Health
The healthcare sector spends over $1 trillion every year treating preventable conditions linked to poverty and housing instability. A single person living in permanent supportive housing can reduce hospital costs by nearly $4,000 per year.(Building Healthy Places)
By creating sustainable housing and reducing displacement, SENT is improving health outcomes across SE Topeka. Here’s how:
- Stability reduces trauma. Trauma from eviction, couch-surfing, or shelter hopping is both a cause and effect of poor mental health. Safe homes lay the groundwork for healing.
- Energy-efficient homes improve financial wellness. Net-zero and weatherized homes mean lower utility bills, leaving more room in the budget for food, prescriptions, or transportation.
- Renovated homes foster pride. Fresh paint, landscaping, and repairs through the “Curb Appeal” program create a sense of ownership and community engagement.
- Multifamily and mixed-income options fight isolation. Housing like Johnson-Betts Meadows helps build inclusive, interdependent neighborhoods—crucial for emotional resilience.
- This isn’t theory—it’s happening in real time. SENT’s housing efforts are already drawing more than $53 million in reinvestment into SE Topeka and helping hundreds of families access dignified places to live.
Weaving in Supportive Services
Housing alone is not enough. That’s why SENT pairs development with supportive services that address the social determinants of health. Through partnerships and direct programs, we provide:
- Mental health counseling, substance-use disorder treatment, and express medical care services through SENT Treatment Services
- Food security and basic needs at the Southside Filling Station Client Choice pantry
- Workforce development programs, especially for residents facing barriers to employment
- Youth mentorship and trauma-informed educational programs
By co-locating and coordinating services near housing developments, SENT helps residents not just survive—but thrive.
A Future Without Homelessness Starts Here
The Build Healthy Places Network makes a compelling case: the solution to homelessness lies not in temporary fixes, but in long-term community-rooted transformation. SENT is answering that call.
We are building more than homes. We are building:
- A city where a family doesn’t have to choose between rent and medicine
- A neighborhood where a child can grow up with heat in the winter and books on the shelf
- A future where no one’s ZIP code determines their destiny
And we can’t do it alone.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a builder, business owner, neighbor, or donor—you have a role in rewriting Topeka’s story.
- Donate to support affordable housing, renovations, and supportive services
- Volunteer your time and talents to improve homes and mentor families
- Partner with us in housing, health, workforce, or community revitalization
- Advocate for zoning and investment policies that promote equity
Learn more about our housing strategy at senttopeka.com/housing
Together, we can build a Topeka where everyone has a place to call home—and the opportunity to thrive.