Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is moving forward on a proposed project that includes the potential purchase of approximately 17 acres of City-owned property on the east side of Clare Road at 87th Street in western Lenexa.
The plan includes 50 single-family homes, connected green space, and direct access to Lenexa’s trail system. This thoughtfully designed community blends housing, nature, and neighborhood connection to create a place where families can build brighter futures.
All homes will be part of a Community Land Trust (CLT), ensuring long-term affordability and stability for generations to come.
The future City park and the existing City stormwater & trail facilities in the vicinity will remain under city ownership and public use and are not impacted by the Habitat proposal.
Since 1979, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City has been dedicated to creating strong, thriving communities through affordable homeownership. We partner with families, volunteers, and donors to build homes designed for long-term stability.
We’re proof that affordable housing has a long-lasting and life-changing impact on families and communities.
In Johnson County, 40% of all renters pay more than 30% of their income on housing.
With the average selling price of homes in Johnson County exceeding $500,000, far too many families have been priced out of the community.
Habitat KC’s affordable homes and zero-interest mortgage offers a way for Johnson County workers to live and raise their children in the community they serve.
15885 South Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062
24000 W Valley Pkwy, Olathe, KS 66061
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that partners with families and volunteers to build affordable homes and help families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
This 50-home Habitat neighborhood is located at 87th Street and Clare Road.
The Property surrounds the City’s award-winning Clear Creek Stormwater Detention project, which was completed in the spring of 2017 and offers a 1.5 acre recreational pond, regional in-stream wetland basins, stream corridor enhancements and an extensive trail system featuring over one mile of paved recreational trail.
Immediately adjacent to the property to the south is an approximately 40 +/- acre future City park site, which, when combined with the Clear Creek improvements, will provide unparalleled recreational amenities to the residents of the area. The community is being developed with sustainability, safety, and a strong sense of community in mind.
A total of 50 for sale homes will be constructed in phases, typically over 5-6 years, depending on funding, volunteer availability, and weather conditions.
Applicants must meet Habitat’s three main criteria:
Partner hours refers to the time future homeowners invest by helping build their own home and the homes of their neighbors, attending financial literacy or home maintenance workshops, and participating in community activities. Typically, homeowners contribute 100+ hours.
Habitat homes are owner-occupied and are sold at appraised value, with an affordable, zero- or low-interest mortgage underwritten by Habitat for Humanity. Monthly payments are based on the homeowner’s income and are designed to be no more than 30% of their gross monthly income to ensure affordability.
Habitat KC is partnering with two local builders to develop the neighborhood. The homes will be owner-occupied and purchased through a mix of traditional market loans and Habitat KC provided affordable loans. All homes will be included in the community land trust.
The homes will be single-family, detached homes and will range from 1,400–2,400 square feet. All homes will include a garage.
Yes, new sidewalks and streetlights will be installed. The subdivision will meet all City of Lenexa standards for platting and developing the property.
Homes in a community land trust cannot be used for an appraisal comparison for real estate transactions outside of the community land trust. This development will not impact nearby home values.
Yes, homeowners will be responsible for property taxes. All property taxes and insurance payments are escrowed and paid through Habitat KC just as they are with a conventional mortgage
The Homeowner shall not sublease, sell, or otherwise convey any of Homeowner’s rights under the Ground Lease, for any period of time, without the prior written permission of the Community Land Trust, which permission is subject to the Community Land Trust’s sole discretion in all respect.
Yes! Habitat prioritizes energy-efficient materials and design, such as proper insulation, Energy Star-rated appliances, and efficient HVAC systems, reducing utility costs for families.
Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations governed by a board of CLT residents, community residents, and public representatives that provide lasting community assets and shared equity homeownership opportunities for families and communities. CLTs develop rural and urban agriculture projects, commercial spaces to serve local communities, affordable rental and cooperative housing projects, and conserve land for urban green spaces. However, the heart of their work is the creation of homes that remain permanently affordable, providing successful homeownership opportunities for generations of lower-income families.
There are over 225 community land trusts in the United States. A typical community land trust for affordable housing works like this:
No. A land bank is a public organization created to acquire, manage, and repurpose vacant land and abandoned or tax-delinquent properties. These are typically operated by a municipality.
No. A housing trust fund is a public fund created for the purpose of supporting affordable housing through new construction, preservation, or subsidies. These are usually created and run by a municipality
Community land trust homeowners receive 100% of their equity back, just like in a market rate home. The difference is in the market appreciation. Instead of being able to retain 100% of the market appreciation of the home, they retain 25% of the market appreciation. The remaining 75% of market appreciation stays with the home to keep the price affordable for the next buyer.
As with any new neighborhood being built, there can be an increase in traffic while construction is underway. However, no streets in this neighborhood will connect to or through another neighborhood, so traffic should be confined to Habitat KC’s construction site accessed from Clare Road.
The new neighborhood will connect to Clare Road, an arterial street that connects 83rd Street to Prairie Star Parkway. As with any development, the 50 new homes will increase local traffic, but the road network has adequate capacity to accept the vehicle trips created, and planned improvements to Clare Road, such as a southbound left turn lane into the subdivision, will help maintain safety and accessibility for all users.
The future City park and the existing City stormwater & trail facilities in the vicinity will remain under city ownership and public use and are not impacted by the Habitat proposal.
The City of Lenexa has owned this property for many years in order to develop the stormwater detention facilities and to establish a park in the future. Certain parts of the property are not needed for the City’s purposes, and several years ago, the City developed a plan to sell three areas of the overall property for single-family home development. The concept plan below shows a version of how the area could develop. Habitat KC is working with the City to purchase the area shown as “Parcel A” in the plan.
The City’s Comprehensive Plan classifies the project site as Suburban-Density Residential, which calls for single-family uses and aligns with Habitat KC’s plan for the site. Because the property is owned by the City, the City will only consider selling it for development which aligns with the Comprehensive Plan.
The site was chosen for the 50-home development due to its location, accessibility, and suitability for sustainable residential growth. It is situated close to essential amenities such as schools, shops, and healthcare facilities making it ideal for families. The land itself offers favorable topography and soil conditions, minimizing the need for extensive groundwork, while existing infrastructure—such as roads, drainage, and utilities—supports efficient integration with the surrounding community. Additionally, the area aligns with local development plans that encourage housing expansion, ensuring the project contributes positively to meeting regional housing needs while preserving nearby green spaces and community character.
The overall area the City owns contains sensitive environmental lands in the form of floodplain. These areas are conserved through the City’s ownership and development of the stormwater detention facility. The site itself is a typical one for developing single-family homes and contains no floodplain or unique environmental features.
Before proceeding with the 50-home development, a comprehensive environmental review will be completed to assess and protect the site’s natural features. This review examines local wildlife habitats, vegetation, watercourses, and soil conditions to ensure that development will have minimal ecological impact. The findings guide the design process, allowing for the preservation of key habitats. By conducting this review early, the project team ensured that the development supports environmental stewardship, complies with local and national environmental regulations, and contributes to a balanced, sustainable community. The homes being built will not be in the floodplain.
This application is strictly for Parcel A.
There are three items for the City of Lenexa to consider.
Important Dates:
January 5th, 2026: Planning Commission Meeting
January 20th, 2026: City Council Meeting
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