Habitat for Humanity on Monday announced the launch of Pope Leo Village in northeast Wichita, which will turn eight boarded-up public housing properties into homes for eight families.
According to a news release, the project is ” dedicated to honoring the vision and service of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope. Made possible by a generous anonymous donor, this initiative will mobilize new volunteers and youth across the community to transform eight formerly boarded-up public housing properties into a thriving, unified neighborhood.”
The development is a continuation of Wichita Habitat’s revitalization efforts in northeast Wichita through the Rock the Block #219 initiative. Pope Leo Villages have been built or planned in other cities including St. Louis, Chicago, Portland, Philadelphia, Omaha, San Antonio, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee.
Once the eight homes of Pope Leo Village are completed here, eight local families who successfully complete Habitat’s Homeownership program will move in. These future Habitat homebuyers will work side-by-side with volunteers to build their homes and will ultimately purchase them with a zero-percent interest, affordable mortgage.
Wichita Habitat is inviting faith organizations, community groups, businesses and individuals to join in the endeavor, with construction slated to begin in July. Participating youths should be at least 16 years old.
To learn more about the project, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation, visit: wichitahabitat.org/popeleovillage.
