Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education (FRAME) Grant

The Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education (FRAME) grant is designed to support technical and community colleges in Kansas as they enhance or expand programs aimed at training the next generation of skilled trades workers while addressing housing needs in the state. This program will provide funding to colleges to build homes, foster collaboration with local high school aged people and ensure the sustainability of these programs for future generations.

The grant is a direct result of the housing study completed by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, which identified that the construction of new housing and the rehabilitation of existing housing will be difficult to achieve without the necessary workforce. Existing contractors are busier than ever and cannot keep up with demand. The recruitment, training and retention of this workforce is essential in all parts of the state.

• Total Available Funding: $2 million.
• Grant Per Awardee: $250,000-$1 million.
• In-Kind Match Required: The salaries and benefits required to conduct a successful program will be considered the in-kind matching funds.

• Only technical and community colleges located in Kansas are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have an existing building program already established.
• Applicants must be able to provide or partner with others for all aspects of the home construction process, including but not limited to building, plumbing, electrical work and HVAC.

Permitted Uses:

• Purchasing materials for building and renovating homes (e.g., construction materials, electrical supplies, plumbing materials).
• Purchasing equipment and tools necessary for building and renovating homes (e.g., compressors, saws, drills, forklifts, hammers).
• Enhancing or expanding existing programs to include new aspects of home building and renovation.
• Collaborating with high schools to integrate younger students into the workforce pipeline.
• Enhancing workforce development programs for trades such as construction, plumbing, electrical work and HVAC.

Prohibited Uses:

• Funds cannot be used to purchase land.
• Funds cannot be used for infrastructure investments, including but not limited to extending utilities such as water, sewer, electricity, or broadband to the building site. However, this restriction does not apply to costs associated with constructing or renovating a building.
• Funds cannot be used to pay salaries or wages.
• Funds cannot be used to pay off debt.
• Funds cannot be used to create a new program within the school.

Quarterly Reports: Recipients must submit quarterly reports detailing the progress of the program, including updates on construction, photographs that depict construction progress, partnerships with local industry, student engagement and financial expenditures.

Bi-Annual Reports: After submission of the first four quarterly reports, recipients submit reports on a bi-annual basis, include a summary of the project progress, outcomes achieved, number of homes built, photographs of completed homes, financial accounting, and outline how the proceeds from home sales were used to continue the program.

Final Report: Upon completion of the program, recipients must submit a final report that includes a summary of the entire project, photographs of completed homes, the outcomes achieved, the number of homes built or renovated, financial accounting and lessons learned. This report should also outline how the proceeds from home sales were used to continue the program.

• Each grant recipient must build or renovate a minimum of two residential dwellings per school year.
  • These dwellings are to be “in addition to” the number of dwellings built or renovated last school year.
  • Renovation: If renovating, the structures must be identified as uninhabitable or unsafe to qualify for the program. Proof of the home’s condition will be required. The homes should be owned by the school prior to renovation. If the home is owned by a foundation, city, etc., there must be a written agreement in place stating that 100% of the proceeds of the sale of the home will be returned to the school to sustain and expand the program. The square footage of the renovated structures should not exceed 2,500 square feet. A larger footprint may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• The homes must include all necessary components of a full residential build (construction, plumbing, electrical, etc.).
• All homes must comply with local, state and federal building codes and regulations. This includes adherence to safety, structural and environmental standards.
• All homes must meet state and local quality and safety standards, including obtaining the necessary permits and inspections to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations.
• Schools must outline where the homes will be built, detailing whether they have an existing site or if they are partnering with local entities, such as the city, to secure land through donations or other means.
• Homes must be sold within 180 days of completion. The proceeds must remain with the school to sustain and expand the program.
• All homes must remain within the state of Kansas.

• Applicants must provide a plan for program sustainability, outlining how they will continue building or renovating homes and training students after the grant period.
• Proposals should include details on how the proceeds from home sales will be reinvested in the program.

• Applicants are required to outline how they will collaborate with local high school aged students in their program, inspiring them for future trade work. It is not required that this be a “hands-on” experience.

• Schools are required to outline how they will collaborate with local industry and trade workers to engage employers in the building process.
• These collaborations should enhance the educational experience by providing knowledge acquisition for students, while also fostering potential employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for graduates.

• Applicants must specify the number of students they anticipate training through the program, including how the program will engage and prepare students for future employment in skilled trades.

• Schools must estimate the number of homes they plan to build or renovate with the awarded funds, with a minimum requirement of two homes per school year.