Interfaith Housing & Community Services, Inc.

Mission Minute

November 2023

This has truly been one exceptional year for Interfaith! We, as Interfaith staff, have been stretched in many ways, which has allowed us to grow both professionally and individually. Through a steady stream of opportunities and partnerships, we have been able to renew our vision for older projects, as well as see new ones comes to life. We truly cannot thank you, the community, enough for giving of your time, talents, resources and prayers.

As many of our supporters know, we have officially begun leasing our LightHouse transitional housing units, with seven of the eight units currently occupied. These are seven amazing young adults who are working hard toward setting and accomplishing their goals. We are blessed to be a part of their lives. We are also in full swing of utilizing the ARPA funding we received for home repairs all across Reno County. 

These are just a couple of the programs we are blessed to work with in 2023, and while I could certainly fill this page with wonderful client stories and project successes, I would like to take a “mission minute”  to offer an update on the current status of the former St. Elizabeth Hospital located at 500 West 20th. For those who may be unfamiliar, this property was constructed in 1918 and served as one of Hutchinson’s primary healthcare options for over 60 years. The large three-story structure was decommissioned as a healthcare facility in 1979 and changed hands multiple times from 1980 to 2016. Following two unsuccessful auction attempts, the former hospital was gifted to Interfaith in June of 2016. Throughout our seven years of ownership, we have pursued a number of solutions including two non-awarded Kansas Housing Resources Corporation grants, years of work with KS Department of Health and Environment, a non-awarded 2023 EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant, and a number of attempts to attract a new property owner. Most recently, we have actively engaged with a licensed abatement firm and began soliciting quotes from area demolition contractors.

In sharing this summary update, my hope is that our neighbors and community partners will have a clearer understanding of the efforts Interfaith has made in pursuit of a viable solution for this property. We have felt the urgency to move forward and will continue to pursue plans to create a vibrant new development at the corner of 20th and Monroe. Our local leaders, from both Reno County and the City of Hutchinson, have shown a renewed interest in collaborating with Interfaith on this project by providing invaluable feedback, as well as resources. Step one is set to begin soon and includes remediation of the major asbestos contamination and full state environmental clearance. Following these cleanup actions, we will pursue a full removal of the structure to make way for future redevelopment.  

It is fair to admit that our timeline is certainly not definite; however, as we continue to maintain ownership and actively explore redevelopment options, we do this with the community’s best interest at heart. Lastly, I thank you, Hutchinson residents, for your continued patience, trust, and support. We remain confident that the right door will open for this space to be an asset and a blessing to the surrounding neighborhood and community as a whole. 

Clint Nelson

CEO/President

Our Story

In 1989, Helen Rosenblad attended a housing meeting in Hutchinson, Kansas and saw that people who were unable to maintain their homes were falling through the cracks. She assembled people from churches throughout the community to work together and meet those needs.

For nearly 30 years, Interfaith has been lending a helping hand. We have crossed religious barriers and connected those with a need to those who have a desire and ability to fill that need. From a small group of faithful, ripples of change and transformation can be seen in the tangible changes and subtle difference in lives and homes across our communities. 

Our desire to serve the under served has not changed over the years, but the way we do has. Not only do we work to meet immediate housing and safety needs, but we also work with clients to move past current situations, toward stability and financial security.

Our Mission

Interfaith Housing & Community Services seeks to alleviate poverty and build community through housing assistance, financial education and individual empowerment.

Our Vision

We envision communities where people have the knowledge and tools to achieve financial self-sufficiency, and access to housing that is affordable to their level of income, accessible to their level of need; where they can live in safety with dignity.