By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The need for more housing in Barton County has been well documented in recent years. In 2023, Joiner Brothers Property Group, LLC and the city of Ellinwood applied for a Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). The grant was awarded by KHRC later that year, and Joiner Construction built four new properties to add 10 living units in the city of Ellinwood. Joiner Construction Vice President Derek Joiner is excited for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new duplex at 315 E. 2nd Street Friday morning at 10 a.m.
"For projects like these, it's always a team effort," he said. "We're thankful for the city of Ellinwood, Chris Komarek in particular, for the work they did. Then also, KHRC for granting us the MIH grant. Central National Bank was also a great partner in this project. All three of those entities certainly all came together to help us make the project happen."
The project also includes a 4-plex at 300 S. Bismark, all 2-bedroom units. The duplex at 315 E. 2nd Street has a basement with two 4-bedroom units, a duplex at 400 E. 4th Street includes 3-bedroom units, and the duplex at 415 E. 3rd Street features 2-bedroom units. Joiner Brothers and Joiner Construction had previously completed similar projects in Russell, Ellsworth, Wilson, and Lucas over the last seven years.
"Ever since we were introduced to the concept of doing these things in small communities, we've aimed to try and do it in Ellinwood," said Joiner. "It took some time to get all the steps that you have to go through to get there. We're just very excited to do something in the community where we grew up and where we currently reside and raise our own families."
Joiner said the new housing units help bring new families to the area and allow tenants in other homes the opportunity to move into new housing. The properties will be operated by Joiner Properties, LLC. Joiner Construction will continue to explore ways to create more housing opportunities in the area.