Marion
Valley Center, KS
Almost three years ago her story could have taken another direction. Marion was living in an apartment complex with mold in Wichita, Kansas, and her health was deteriorating because of improper treatment. When she first reported the issue to the manager, they painted over the mold instead of correctly treating it. The mold came back, and spread from the ceiling to the walls, due to a water issue in the apartment above. Marion reported it again, and again they painted over it. The continued exposure of mold led to Marion getting sicker and sicker, and eventually she called her family to pick her up and
she never went back.
Unable to return to the moldy apartment, Marion needed a new place to live. A friend of hers began helping her search for a new apartment, but every place she called was filled. Finally, she connected to a property manager at Mennonite Housing Rehabilitation Services (MHRS) and told her Marion’s story. MHRS had a resident that would be moving out soon, and Marion could take her unit.
Marion moved into Sunflowers Gardens and then transferred over to Fieldcrest when a two-bedroom unit became available. Fieldcrest and Sunflower Gardens are located in Valley Center, Kansas, about a mile apart. Both properties were developed and are managed by MHRS, which has been providing affordable housing options for low-income and elderly residents in Wichita and surrounding areas for over 40 years.
As soon as she moved, Marion’s health began improving. “I couldn’t even breathe when I got here, I was using my nebulizer three times a day. I’ve been so much better since I’ve got here.” She also loves the property and the other residents. When she does have a maintenance issue, it’s fixed properly and quickly. “They go over and beyond.”
Marion gets emotional when she thinks about moving to Valley Center and is so appreciative. “I don’t think I’ve ever lived any place where the apartments are so well kept. You want to keep it that way.”
Fieldcrest and Sunflower Gardens were made possible for Marion and other seniors through the use of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. Fieldcrest was funded through MHEG Fund 51, LP.
