Housing for Good

In Part 3 of our special 4-part Summit Series, we continue sharing conversations recorded live at the 2026 Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing in Manhattan, Kansas.
This episode includes conversations with Beth Waddell from My Father’s House, Randy McCoy, formerly with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Jeremy Harmon of Center of Hope Ministry. Topics include permanent supportive housing, tiny home communities, rural housing development, transitional shelter services, faith-based outreach, and the role partnerships play in addressing homelessness across Kansas communities.
A quick note - these conversations were recorded live at the summit, so some ambient background audio may be present.

Part Two of our four-part mini-series from the 2026 Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing features three more conversations focused on homelessness, advocacy, and systems navigation.
Keynote speaker Randy Bacon discusses The Road I Call Home and how photography and personal storytelling can help restore dignity and visibility to individuals experiencing homelessness. Molly Mendenhall explains the role of Continuum of Care systems, Built for Zero, statewide homelessness data coordination, and the challenges surrounding PIT counts and rural homelessness data collection. Abigail “Abby” Kirkman joins us to discuss SOAR training, disability-benefit advocacy, and how providers and agencies can better support individuals navigating SSI and SSDI systems.
These conversations highlight both the human stories and the systemic challenges involved in addressing homelessness across Kansas and beyond.
A quick note - these interviews were recorded live at the 2026 Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing.

This episode of Housing for Good was recorded live at the 2026 Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing in Manhattan, Kansas. In this first installment, we sit down with several individuals working on the front lines of housing and homelessness to share perspectives, challenges, and insights from across the field.
This episode features multiple guests from organizations across Kansas working in housing and homelessness services.
This is Part One of a multi-part series featuring interviews recorded throughout the summit.

April is National Fair Housing Month, but this conversation goes beyond policy and into something often overlooked - the reality of hidden homelessness.
Chris and Karolyn are joined by Kym Crupper, case manager at McPherson Housing Coalition, who shares her lived experience navigating housing instability as a single parent. From living without utilities to trying to keep life stable for her child, her story highlights how homelessness doesn’t always look the way we expect.
The discussion also explores how students can fall through the cracks when families are overwhelmed or unsure how to ask for help - and why being seen matters.

In this episode of Housing for Good, we sit down with Ty Rhodes of McPherson USD 418 to explore how schools identify and support students experiencing homelessness through the McKinney-Vento Act.
What does student homelessness actually look like? As Ty explains, it often doesn’t match the stereotypes people expect. Many students are attending class, participating in school, and doing their best to blend in while facing instability at home.
This conversation highlights the hidden realities behind student homelessness, the challenges schools face in identifying those in need, and the critical supports that help remove barriers to education, including transportation, meals, and waived fees.
It also raises an important question for communities: how many students are struggling quietly without anyone realizing it? 

🎧 In this episode of Housing for Good, we’re joined by Dalton Black and Amanda Lowe from United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties.
From housing and childcare to food access and advocacy, this conversation explores what it really takes to support communities in meaningful, lasting ways. Dalton and Amanda share how their team is working across multiple initiatives - including housing alliances, early childhood programs, and community health efforts - to address complex, interconnected challenges.
We also dive into the realities behind poverty, the importance of meeting people where they are, and why collaboration across organizations is critical to creating real change. One powerful takeaway - it’s not just about helping people downstream, it’s about going upstream and fixing the systems that cause the problem in the first place.
If you’ve ever wondered how community impact actually happens on the ground, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest look behind the scenes.

🎧 This week on Housing for Good, we sit down with City of McPherson Public Works Director Eric Duerksen to explore how the systems behind the scenes shape housing, development, and everyday life in our community.
From streets and wastewater to planning, zoning, and long-term growth, Eric shares what Public Works actually does - and why it plays such a critical role in making housing possible.
Along the way, Chris reflects on a recent travel experience that highlights just how difficult it can be to navigate complex systems without rest, clarity, or support - offering a powerful reminder of what many families face when dealing with housing instability.
This episode connects infrastructure, process, and lived experience to show how communities function - and how they can improve.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Karolyn sits down with Matt Lowe, Director of Community Impact at United Way of the Plains, to explore the realities shaping housing and community stability across South Central Kansas.
The conversation looks at the growing pressure on working families, the increasing challenge of affordable housing, and how these issues are impacting communities across the region. Matt also shares how United Way is working to bridge gaps by strengthening collaboration between organizations and focusing on outcomes that lead to lasting stability.
They also discuss the role of housing navigators, the importance of coordinated systems, and the challenges surrounding individuals with more complex needs. As the conversation makes clear, addressing these issues will require continued collaboration and broader community engagement in the years ahead.
This episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to create meaningful change - and why working together is essential.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris sits down with Michelle Martin from the City of Salina’s Community Relations Division to explore the role of fair housing, civil rights protections, and the growing challenges facing communities across Kansas.
From housing discrimination and emotional support animal policies to homelessness strategy and affordable housing gaps, this conversation highlights how local governments and community partners are working to navigate complex systems while supporting residents in need.
Michelle shares insight into Salina’s unique Fair Housing Assistance Program partnership with HUD, the importance of education for both tenants and landlords, and how collaboration across agencies can lead to more effective housing solutions.
You’ll also hear details about the upcoming Fair Housing Seminar in Salina and how initiatives like housing rehabilitation grants and strategic planning are shaping the future of housing stability in the region.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore talk about their recent visit to Topeka and the housing issues currently being discussed in the Kansas legislature.
They walk through several housing bills that could impact renters, landlords, and communities across the state. Topics include property maintenance standards, rental application transparency, eviction records, and how housing policies affect neighborhood stability and property values.
The conversation also highlights why advocacy matters. Chris and Karolyn share why it is important for everyday citizens to connect with their legislators and help them understand the real-world impact of housing policy.
Housing policy may be debated in Topeka, but the outcomes shape communities across Kansas.