Building Health, Inc. launched its Unlocking Home program in 2025 with grant support from the General Fund for Basic Human Needs, administered by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. The grant provides BHI with flexible funding to assist low-income households and people exiting homelessness by addressing two common barriers to securing housing: rental application fees and document recovery costs.
In 2025, BHI assisted eleven Crawford County residents with document recovery costs. Documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, government-issued identification, and divorce decrees are often required when applying for housing, employment, benefits, and school enrollment. Maintaining these documents can be especially difficult for individuals experiencing homelessness, as they are more vulnerable to being lost, damaged, or stolen.
In Kansas, certified birth certificates and divorce decrees cost approximately $20 each, plus processing fees. In Crawford County, rental application fees typically range from $30 to $75. For households already experiencing hardship, these expenses can create additional financial strain as they work to secure housing.
“Many times, people need to use their limited funds to acquire identification documents before they can even submit rental applications,” said Kelly Pulliam, BHI Homeless Programs Manager. “In addition, prospective tenants often submit multiple applications because the local rental market is competitive. In most cases, application fees are not refunded to applicants who are not selected.”
Through the program, BHI pays document recovery and rental application fees directly to state record offices and property management companies.
“Our goal is to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. This program helps ensure people have the documentation and financial support they need to obtain safe, stable housing,” said Pulliam.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas administers individual charitable funds created by donors committed to giving back to their communities. Grants from these funds support people throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. Visit SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897 for more information.