Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.
Kansas district courts handle family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts. The Child Support Services division operates under the Department for Children and Families. Wichita, Kansas City KS, Overland Park, and Topeka are the largest cities. Kansas Legal Services and the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provide statewide help for women.
KHRC at 611 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka administers the federal LIHTC, HOME, and Kansas's state housing trust fund, plus first-time homebuyer mortgage and down-payment programs. The 785-217-2001 line can confirm eligibility and connect callers to participating lenders.
785-217-2001 · 611 S Kansas Ave Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Habitat of Kansas in Wichita coordinates several Kansas affiliates that build and sell zero-interest mortgaged homes to qualifying low-income families completing 300+ sweat-equity hours and homebuyer education. The state office at 316-269-0755 routes applicants to the nearest affiliate.
316-269-0755 · Wichita, KS · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
The Salvation Army Wichita Citadel at 316-263-2769 and other Kansas corps offer emergency rent and utility assistance from earmarked funds, often the last resource before eviction. Walk-in hours vary; call ahead to confirm where help is currently available.
316-263-2769 · Wichita, KS · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas runs emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and basic needs across 21 counties in the KC metro and northeast region, plus immigration legal services and refugee resettlement. The main office at 913-433-2100 schedules in-person intakes.
913-433-2100 · Kansas City, KS · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Johnson County Housing Authority at 11811 S Sunset Drive in Olathe administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and a small public housing portfolio for the county, with preferences for working families and victims of domestic violence under VAWA. Phone 913-715-6600 to check the waitlist status.
913-715-6600 · 11811 S Sunset Dr Suite 2500, Olathe, KS 66061 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Wichita Housing Authority at 332 N Riverview Street administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing units across the city, with separate site-based developments. The waiting list opens by lottery periodically; the 316-462-3700 line confirms current status.
316-462-3700 · 332 N Riverview St, Wichita, KS 67203 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Topeka Rescue Mission at 600 N Kansas Avenue operates the city's largest emergency shelter for women and families, accepting walk-in admissions at all hours via 785-354-1744. The Hope Center provides transitional services including case management toward permanent housing.
785-354-1744 · 600 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608 · 24/7 · Visit Website
HUD's main site indexes the agency's regional and field offices serving Kansas, the public housing authority directory, and the searchable list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Kansas mothers preparing for foreclosure mediation can find certified counselors here at no cost.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
HUD's Continuum of Care pages list the lead agency for each CoC in Kansas — the entry point into coordinated entry, which ranks every homeless household for rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing slots in the region.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The federal LIHEAP page explains how the block grant flows to Kansas through DCF, which runs the LIEAP application open January-March each year. Mothers facing winter shut-off should apply early as funds are typically exhausted before the official close date.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The national Salvation Army locator returns the nearest Kansas corps community center by ZIP with current hours. Programs vary by site — some offer thrift store vouchers, some have transitional housing, some specialize in disaster relief — so it pays to call before walking in.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Southwest Kansas, and Wichita cover the three Catholic dioceses of Kansas with rental assistance, refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and counseling. Services are offered to women of any faith.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
United Way's national 211 service is the umbrella for Kansas 211, run by United Way of the Plains, which indexes every community-based emergency assistance program — food pantries, rent and utility funds, transportation help, and crisis hotlines — with referrals tailored to the caller's ZIP.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Habitat International coordinates more than 1,000 US affiliates including affiliates across Kansas in Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, Manhattan, and Salina. The national locator at habitat.org returns the closest affiliate by ZIP along with average wait time for a homeownership application.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Family Promise runs the national network of interfaith hospitality programs that shelter homeless families with children through partnering congregations. Kansas affiliates in Topeka, Wichita, Lawrence, and Olathe keep families together while providing case management toward permanent housing.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website