Montgomery County Communities Spur Economic Development With Housing Investments

There is a housing shortage across the United States, with an estimated deficit of 4.7 million homes. This crunch is felt in major metropolitan areas and rural communities alike, but the cities that comprise Montgomery County, Kansas, are taking action. Each municipality is taking steps to increase housing inventory through new construction and the refurbishment of existing homes. This directly supports talent retention and attraction efforts in the region.

“Housing is absolutely an economic development issue,” says Melissa Johnson, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Action Council (MCAC). “If you want to grow your workforce, you need places for people to live. If residents can’t find housing, they will move to other communities where homes are available.”

Montgomery County communities know there isn’t a single solution for addressing the national housing crisis. However, they are working with local partners to support the families that live here, while making space for future families to call Kansas home. 

Independence Makes Housing Its Top Priority

The City Commission of Independence set housing as its top priority in 2023 and developed a comprehensive plan to increase housing inventory in the years that followed. Independence has since expanded its Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to restore distressed properties and updated its zoning code to increase residential space. Here are a few projects currently found in the city:

• Jefferson Subdivision: This development, located at North 13th St., will have 14 homes available by summer 2026. The finished project will have 22 newly constructed single-family homes.   
• Downtown development: The city is redeveloping older neighborhoods by constructing 40 single-family homes on fill-in lots. This creates additional inventory beyond new subdivision plans. Abandoned or ignored lots are given new life. 
• North Pennsylvania Avenue: This project is pending approval, but would create 48 apartments at 201 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Rental costs would range from $800 to $1,000 with utilities included. This increases inventory for non-buyers.

The results of Independence’s efforts are clear. Between 2015 and 2024, only 10 single-family homes were built in the city. In 2026 alone, 63 are expected to finish construction. Total housing investing in Independence has skyrocketed from $2.7 million in the past decade to $30.3 million this year. Housing inventory in Independence will grow to keep up with demand.  

Coffeyville is Developing Downtown Workforce Housing

The City of Coffeyville is also taking a balanced approach to increasing housing inventory, focusing on its downtown areas. While many people in Montgomery County enjoy rural living, others prefer living downtown, where they can walk to breakfast each morning and connect with their neighbors. Here are a few projects in the works:

• Downtown Housing Project: this will add up to 30 new condos or apartments downtown while redeveloping vacant buildings.
• Gibson Street Housing Project: this is a new residential development corridor along Gibson Avenue with 16 lots planned to increase the supply of single-family housing.
• 100-Acre Housing: this is a residential development site with 166 total lots as part of the Brickville Subdivision.

Building lots downtown and near major Coffeyville amenities will attract people to the community and grow the workforce. In the long run, the city hopes this will also bring new businesses to Coffeyville that are looking to hire from the growing residential population. 

Cherryvale Has Created a Dedicated Housing Committee 

Cherryvale is committed to acting intentionally as it invests in housing, ensuring its projects meet the community's needs. The city has established a dedicated Housing Committee that has already completed 220 housing assessments. These assessments are a key step toward qualifying for approximately $30,000 in tax incentives per lot. 

“If approved by the state, these funds would help support continued housing development and revitalization efforts, reinforcing Cherryvale’s commitment to long-term community sustainability,” says Michael Hall, City Administrator for Cherryvale.

Shane Harris, Owner of Diamond Property Management and a Cherryvale native, is actively planning and developing ten new housing lots. Harris is working closely with the city to ensure the properties align with the community’s needs and character.  

This project represents…how local leadership and private investment can help drive Cherryvale’s housing momentum,” says Hall.

This community understands that growth needs to be sustainable while protecting the character and assets that make the city special. 

Caney is Investing in Adaptive Reuse Housing

Adaptive reuse housing is the process of giving “underused, abandoned, or functionally obsolete” structures new life. This process is often more economical because it allows contractors to use existing resources rather than demolishing a property and starting from scratch. Caney is investing in adaptive reuse housing to create desirable properties for residents.

The Wunder Nursing Home is a notable project in Caney. When complete, this housing development will have 18 units, with rental costs between $600 to $800. The project is expected to be complete in 2026. 

Work With MCAC to Address Housing Needs

MCAC works with each community in Montgomery County to find opportunities for growth. When cities invest in housing inventory and other talent-attraction efforts, they create pathways for new businesses and company expansions. Housing will remain a key part of economic development in the coming years.

You can have a say in the future of Montgomery County and work toward solutions to make it better. Become a member of MCAC and make your voice heard. You can also contact our team to discuss any concerns or opportunities you have. We look forward to meeting.