Senators Jerry Moran and Angus King introduced the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act to help address the rural housing shortage and support workers in small communities. The bill would expand the Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) program, allowing rural homeowners to build additional rental housing on their property, such as small homes or attached apartments. Currently, HPG funding is limited and primarily covers minor repairs, but this legislation would increase funding and expand eligibility to encourage more housing development.

The bill would allow HPG recipients to use funds for constructing rental units, provide grants of up to $100,000 for low- and middle-income homeowners, and require the primary home to be at least 25 years old. It also includes a landlord education program to help homeowners manage rentals and a five-year ownership requirement to prevent property flipping or misuse by developers.

“There is a high demand for rural housing across Kansas, and it’s important that our housing programs offer creative solutions to address this issue,” said Sen. Moran. “Modernizing the Housing Preservation Grants program will help create new avenues for renovating and constructing homes in smaller communities across the country.”

In addition, Senator Moran introduced the ACRE Act of 2025 to give financial institutions more flexibility in providing affordable credit to rural and agricultural borrowers, helping them expand farms and purchase homes.