At CHC/SEK, health is more than a clinic visit—it’s also shaped by the homes and communities we live in. Safe, stable, and affordable housing has a direct connection to health outcomes, and that’s why CHC/SEK has stepped into this work alongside trusted community partners.
Many homes in Southeast Kansas are aging, with an average age of more than sixty years. Deferred maintenance in older homes often brings hidden health risks—mold, lead in paint or bathtubs, aging heating and cooling systems and outdated structures that become unsafe. When housing costs are too high, families may also have to choose between paying rent and buying food or seeking medical care. Housing stability matters, and CHC is committed to being part of the solution.
In 2023, CHC/SEK welcomed Bobbie Forrest, Residential Project Manager, to help lead these efforts. For seventeen years prior to joining CHC, Bobbie had been a Construction Technology Instructor at Neosho County Community College where he taught building trades. Since April 2024, under Bobbie’s direction five new homes have been completed in Pittsburg, with a sixth underway and a seventh on the calendar. These projects have been possible thanks to strong partnerships with the City of Pittsburg through its Land Bank program, organizations like Level Playing Field Homes and community businesses like Broadway Lumber. By selling affordable, well-constructed homes at cost, CHC is helping to make homeownership attainable—creating stability for families, building generational wealth that can break cycles of poverty and improving neighborhoods.
The impact of this work can be seen through stories like Lacee Merando’s. Lacee and her family moved from a small two-bedroom home they had outgrown into a brand-new three- bedroom home. The extra space has brought peace and comfort to her family. “It made a huge impact—it’s more peaceful, and we’ve been able to reset in this new home,” Lacee shared. She credits Bobbie Forrest not only for the build itself, but for the care he showed after their family moved in. “If it weren’t for Bobbie, I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have now about my home. He didn’t just hand us the keys—he went over every aspect of the house and even checked on us after we moved in. I am forever grateful for CHC and the Level Playing Field.”
For Bobbie, the best part of the job is building “forever homes” and seeing the impact it makes on the lives of families. At CHC/SEK, these efforts are part of a bigger vision: addressing health where it begins—in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. Because at the end of the day, housing is health.