Kansas Land Trust Expands Affordable Homeownership

Habitat for Humanity builds 14-home community land trust neighborhood in Olathe

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City has built a new 14-home community land trust neighborhood in Olathe, Kansas, making homeownership more affordable for lower-income residents. The land trust model allows Habitat to sell the homes at a reduced price, and keep them affordable in the future. The development is one of the first community land trusts in Kansas to feature an entire neighborhood, rather than just a couple of homes at a time.

Why it matters

As home prices in Kansas continue to soar, making homeownership increasingly out of reach for many, this community land trust project provides an innovative model to expand affordable housing options. The land trust approach allows Habitat to partner with more families to achieve the goal of affordable home ownership, particularly in high-cost markets like Johnson County.

The details

The new 14-home neighborhood in Olathe was built by Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City on a community land trust. This real estate tool allows Habitat to sell the homes at a reduced price - about $250,000 each, less than half the average home price in Johnson County. The first resident to move in is Maura Heft, a single mother who had been homeless for 5 years despite working a full-time job. Habitat hopes to build an even larger 50-home community land trust neighborhood in nearby Lenexa to serve more families.

  • Habitat for Humanity recently held a tour of the new 14-home neighborhood for local officials and advocates.
  • Maura Heft and her 6-year-old daughter moved into their new Habitat home in February 2026.

The players

Maura Heft

A single mother who is the first resident to move into the new Habitat for Humanity community land trust neighborhood in Olathe.

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City

The local Habitat for Humanity affiliate that developed the 14-home community land trust neighborhood in Olathe.

Lindsay Hicks

President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City, who says the organization plans to build an even larger 50-home community land trust neighborhood in Lenexa.

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What they’re saying

“Having our own place and something that I own will build a foundation for my daughter, something I didn't have growing up.”

— Maura Heft (iolaregister.com)

“Our goal and our hope is to continue to develop at this larger scale, so we can serve and partner with more families to obtain affordable home ownership.”

— Lindsay Hicks, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City (iolaregister.com)

What’s next

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City plans to build an even larger 50-home community land trust neighborhood in the nearby city of Lenexa.

The takeaway

This community land trust project in Olathe demonstrates an innovative model to expand affordable homeownership options, particularly in high-cost housing markets like Johnson County, Kansas. By leveraging the land trust approach, Habitat for Humanity is able to sell homes at reduced prices and keep them affordable for future residents.